Anthony Seibold: Rockhampton coach is switching codes after year with Newcastle Knights

Rockhampton product Anthony Seibold had a successful 2021 season with the Newcastle Knights and is switching codes to join forces with Eddie Jones and the England rugby union team. He speaks candidly about his time with the club and future goals.

Rockhampton’s Anthony Seibold had the year with the Newcastle Knights in the NRL and is now switching codes, joining the England rugby coaching staff in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup. Picture: NRL Photos

Anthony Seibold says this his stint at the Newcastle Knights this year has “reinvigorated” him after a hellish 2020 during which he parted ways with the Brisbane Broncos.

The 46-year-old was credited with helping solidify the Knights’ defence, which was instrumental in them making consecutive NRL finals series for the first time in 18 years.

Seibold’s tenure with the Knights came to an end in his hometown of Rockhampton after the team was beaten by Parramatta in the elimination semi-final at Browne Park a fortnight ago.

In photos: Faces in the crowd at NRL finals game in Rockhampton

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The 2018 Dally M Coach of the Year has now switched codes, joining Eddie Jones’s coaching staff to help ready England for their tilt at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Seibold said his time at the Knights was invaluable and he had no hesitation accepting the position offered by head coach Adam O’Brien.

He started at the club as a consultant working three days a week before being asked mid-season to come on full-time.

“It’s probably reinvigorated my love for coaching and for footy so I’m really grateful to the Knights and I’m really glad I said yes to Adam when he asked me to come on board,” Seibold said.

“I’ve been coaching full-time for 15 years and just because I had a really challenging six months didn’t mean that I didn’t want to coach anymore.

Anthony Seibold (left) at Browne Park as the Newcastle Knights prepare for their elimination semi-final against Parramatta on September 12, 2021.

“I’ve been really fortunate to have some successes in coaching and obviously you go through some failures as well.

“It’s all about learning and I’ve really enjoyed the year.”

O’Brien said it was great to renew ties with Seibold after the two worked together as Craig Bellamy’s assistants at the Melbourne Storm.

“He’s been outstanding. I coached with Seibs in Melbourne, so I completely understand what he brings to the table, not only as a coach but a teacher,” O’Brien said.

“He’s a very, very good communicator. He’s played a huge part in getting us back on track towards the back end of the year.

“He’s a good man and he’s got a great opportunity to go over there with Eddie Jones and I can’t thank him enough for his contribution to this season.”

Seibold said he was excited about his move to rugby union.

“I considered it deeply,” he said of his role with Jones.

Anthony Seibold at a Newcastle Knights’ training session.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I thought I’d regret it if I didn’t take it.

“I’ve been doing some work for Eddie for probably the last 12 months, some special projects remotely from here in Australia.

“Then, about five or six weeks ago, he offered me the assistant coach’s role for England through to the 2023 World Cup in France.

“Eddie’s one of the world’s leading coaches, not just in rugby but in world sport, and the Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world after the Olympics and the soccer World Cup.

“It’s going to be different. It’s going to be challenging but it was just too good an opportunity to say no to.”

Seibold said he would continue to be based in Sydney but would be jetting regularly to England, something which he would do more of as the World Cup got closer.

“I will be back in forth in 2022 due to the nature of our playing schedule and I will move to the UK for an extended period in 2023 in preparation for the RWC in France in 2023,” he said.