2 hours ago
2
Just a few days ago, Justin Holbrook, in his own words, was “devastated”.
The Roosters outfit, at which he was an assistant coach, had been bundled out of the finals. But in true rugby league fashion, there was another twist to come in the form of becoming the new Newcastle Knights coach.
“Definitely, it’s typical for the life of someone involved in rugby league,” Holbrook told this masthead on Monday night after he was officially confirmed as Adam O’Brien’s replacement.
“I was absolutely devastated on Saturday night to finish before we wanted to, and then to be given the good news helped to soften the blow of bowing out, that’s for sure.
“I’m excited and grateful to be the head coach of the Knights.
“What I’m going to bring is excitement and energy. I love coaching, and I’m grateful for this opportunity. That’s how I’ll lead, and I need that to rub off on the rest of the staff and players and see where we get to.”
Justin Holbrook will coach the Knights in 2026.Credit: Getty Images
Holbrook beat the likes of Dragons assistant coach Dean Young as well as Knights assistant coaches Brian McDermott and Blake Green to the job. Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is poised to replace Holbrook as an assistant to Trent Robinson at the Roosters.
The former rugby union coach had also shown interest in the Knights job. Cheika has previously worked as a consultant to Robinson but will take on a more senior role on the coaching staff from next season.
For Holbrook, it is another chance to become a head coach, a job he last held at the Gold Coast Titans. The latest gig, given the Knights just earned the wooden spoon, is arguably the toughest in rugby league. Any success is likely to hinge on whether he can get value out of the club’s $13 million, 10-year investment in Dylan Brown.
Dylan Brown shares a joke with his future Newcastle teammates.Credit: Getty Images
While many critics feel the club has overspent on the former Eel, Holbrook believes he has an elite talent that will only get better.
“He’s already there, he’s still only 24 now and been one of the class halves of our competition for a few years now,” Holbrook said.
“That’s my main job when I get up there, getting in with all those boys and putting all the pieces together.
Loading
“Dylan is a big part of that. He’s a very exciting recruit to join the club. I’m excited to work with him.”
As to whether he will have the famous Newcastle No.7 on his back, Holbrook said: “I don’t want to say things are definite because I want to get up there and meet everyone first.
“We’ve got to nut that out pretty early on. I want to get in there first.”
The Knights struggled to score points in 2025, a category in which they came. However, Holbrook acknowledged the club’s best eras were built on steely defence.
“Everyone knows that it’s a hard-working area and everyone wants that represented in their rugby league side,” he said.
“It’s about hard work, the blue-collar guys. That’s the way the team should be representing the town, and that’s my job now. It’s a collective approach, and one thing we need is everyone working together. I’m looking forward to working with the playing group and getting on with it.”
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Most Viewed in Sport
Loading
