NRL news 2023: Justin Holbrook reveals why he joined Sydney Roosters over Bulldogs

Canterbury and Phil Gould went hard trying to bring Justin Holbrook to Belmore. The former Titans coach opens up on why he knocked back ‘Gus’ and who helped him make the call.

Justin Holbrook has signed on to join the Sydney Roosters. Picture: NRL Imagery.

Justin Holbrook insists he is not a spent force in the NRL and has revealed how Titans advisor Mal Meninga was a pivotal figure in his decision to choose the Roosters over the Bulldogs.

The sacked Titans coach was tipped to join English club Warrington, but Holbrook ultimately opted for the Roosters, with Bondi supremo Nick Politis trumping Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould in a three-way bidding war.

Holbrook admits he was on the verge of agreeing terms with the Wolves and returning to England, where he won a premiership with St Helens, before NRL Immortal Meninga’s words of wisdom kept him in Australia.

Meninga was the man who headhunted Holbrook at St Helens in 2019 for the Titans, who sensationally sacked him in June in favour of Des Hasler, leaving the 47-year-old father of four in coaching limbo.

But Roosters coach Trent Robinson has thrown Holbrook a lifeline, reuniting with his one-time assistant, who first joined the Bondi glamour club in 2014 before his move to St Helens.

“Actually, Mal was great for me through this process,” Holbrook said.

Justin Holbrook has opened up on his decision to join the Roosters after knocking back Warrington and the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

“I had a good chat with him about all the options and what decision to make and Mal helped me arrive at my decision.

“He basically said forget all the factors, where does your heart tell you to go in your coaching career and where you feel you get the most value.

“He made things really clear for me and when I said a few things about the Roosters, Mal said, ‘Mate, you’ve answered your own question there’.

“I haven’t enjoyed all the speculation about my future, so I’m glad the decision has been made.”

Mal Meninga played a key role in helping Justin Holbrook make a decision on his coaching future. Picture: Getty Images

Holbrook had the chance to be the main man at Warrington, but the prospect of relocating his four kids to England was a factor in deciding to ink a three-year deal with the Roosters.

The Bulldogs went hard for Holbrook — Canterbury football boss Gould flew to the Gold Coast last week to deliver one final pitch — but Holbrook is determined to help Robinson rebuild the Roosters into a title force.

“It was a hard decision,” Holbrook said.

“I was very close to going to Warrington. I have enjoyed being the head coach at the Titans and with my history at St Helens, I have great memories of coaching in England.

“It was hard to say no to the Bulldogs as well. I worked at Canterbury. Talking to ‘Gus’ (Gould), his rugby league knowledge is outstanding, so I had a lot to think about.

“But weighing it all up, including some family considerations as well, the Roosters were the best fit for me.

“I have a good understanding of the Roosters. I have been there before and I know Trent Robinson well.

“Trent is such a knowledgeable bloke. When the Roosters came up the other week to play the Titans, we caught up and had a chat and he was keen to have me here and it felt like the right thing to do.

“He is the type of coach who will challenge me, so it’s not going to be easy and it will make me a better coach.”

Phil Gould tried to sign Justin Holbrook to the Bulldogs. Picture: Julian Andrews

The jury is out on Holbrook as an NRL head coach. He won just 31 of 82 games at the Titans for a 37 per cent success rate and while his primary focus is slotting in seamlessly at the Roosters, Holbrook has unfinished business on the horizon.

“I’m disappointed in how it finished up at the Titans and you learn things from that,” he said.

“Sometimes you think about a club in terms of a long-term future, but you shouldn’t do that, because you might not be there for the future that you spend your time planning.

“I’d love to be a head coach in the NRL again but I’m in no rush. My immediate job is to support ‘Robbo’ and help the Roosters get up the top again.

“I haven’t got into the full details of what exactly I will be doing, but Robbo wanted someone senior there and I’m really looking forward to helping him.”