Rugby League News: A Look at NRL Assistants Who Succeeded in England
Hull FC’s new head coach John Cartwright joins a lengthy list of men who have made the leap from assistant coaching roles in the NRL to become Super League coaches. While some have found great success in England, others have struggled to replicate their previous accomplishments.
Michael Maguire: A Standout Success
One standout example of an NRL assistant who thrived in the Super League is Michael Maguire. After working as an assistant at Melbourne Storm, Maguire joined Wigan Warriors in 2010 and immediately led them to a Grand Final victory, ending a 10-year drought. He also won the Challenge Cup in 2011, completing the domestic trophy set in less than 18 months.
Justin Holbrook’s Transformative Tenure
Another success story is Justin Holbrook, who arrived at St Helens when the club was in a rough patch. Holbrook revolutionized the Saints, guiding them to every domestic trophy on offer in England in less than three years, before departing at the end of 2019.
Contrasting Experiences
However, the transition hasn’t been smooth for everyone. Simon Woolford, who joined Huddersfield Giants after working as an assistant to Nathan Brown at Newcastle Knights, never quite found his footing, and the team struggled during his two-season tenure.
On the other hand, Kristian Woolf stepped into the big shoes left by Holbrook at St Helens and thrived, winning the Super League title three years in a row from 2020 to 2022, as well as the Challenge Cup in 2021.
Other Notable Successes and Challenges
Steve Price’s time at Warrington Wolves was also considered a success, despite not ending their long wait for a Super League title. He guided them to a Challenge Cup triumph in 2019.
Not every NRL assistant-turned-Super League coach has found the same level of success, though. David Furner’s stint at Leeds Rhinos lasted just 16 games before his contract was terminated, and Matthew Elliott’s time at Bradford Bulls, while successful, was relatively short-lived.
“The experiences of these NRL assistants-turned-Super League coaches demonstrate the challenges and opportunities that can arise when making the leap across the world.”
As John Cartwright takes on the reins at Hull FC, he will be hoping to emulate the success of some of his predecessors, while avoiding the pitfalls that have ensnared others.
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