LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Justin Holbrook's journey in the NRL coaching arena hasn't been straightforward. He is known for tackling challenging roles, and his latest assignment sees him stepping in as head coach for the Newcastle Knights, a team that recently finished at the bottom of the ladder-similar to his experience with the Titans after a successful tenure in the English Super League with St Helens.
Holbrook first took over the Titans in 2020 when they had just earned the wooden spoon in 2019 and were in a chaotic state. His leadership quickly turned things around, leading the team to finish 9th in the 2020 season, an impressive feat considering they lost their first three games and appeared headed for another disappointing season.
In the following year, Holbrook successfully guided the Titans to the finals, culminating in an 8th place finish-a testament to his effective coaching.
However, by the middle of the 2023 season, Holbrook departed from the Titans after 13 games, resulting in a record of 6 wins and 7 losses before Des Hasler took over. Despite this, Holbrook's time at the Titans can be regarded as relatively successful, showcasing his ability to elevate a struggling team and help them compete for playoff spots.
Now, Holbrook steps into the challenging role of coaching the Newcastle Knights, a team that has faced substantial difficulties in recent times. He confronts the challenge of managing a roster burdened with two players consuming a significant portion of the salary cap, along with several questionable signings that the Knights may regret in retrospect. However, as the saying goes, hindsight is a "lovely thing."