The Newcastle Knights' unexpected playoff appearance has drawn attention from former players and analysts alike, including retired English rugby league star James Roby.
Roby, who had a remarkable career with St Helens, expressed confidence that the Knights would be competing for finals spots this season after their struggles last year.
"It doesn't surprise me at all. He improved us (St Helens) massively," Roby stated in an interview with foxsports.com.au.
Success in the league is particularly noteworthy given the Knights finished with the wooden spoon last season, making their turnaround under coach Justin Holbrook impressive.
Holbrook's influence has been evident, creating a significant change in morale and performance within the squad.
Roby reminisced about initially learning of Holbrook back in 2017, when he joined St Helens as head coach after making a name as an assistant at the Sydney Roosters.
An unexpected choice for the role, Holbrook was labelled an "unfamiliar name" by the British media at the time.
Since then, his coaching acumen has garnered respect, proving instrumental in transforming underperforming teams into playoff contenders.