Justin Holbrook to thrive following Trent Robinson’s apprenticeship
Justin Holbrook has been thrust into one of the toughest jobs in Australian sport, but his time spent under Roosters coach Trent Robinson will have him well placed to excel in the NRL.
The Trent Robinson man management school will help new Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook thrive in the NRL’s chaotic world.
That’s the opinion of Sydney Roosters forward Mitchell Aubusson, who witnessed Holbrook’s skills first-hand during his two seasons at the Tricolours in 2015 and 2016 as an assistant.
Aubusson believes Holbrook’s assistant coaching stint under Robinson at the Roosters will ensure he excels as an NRL coach at the Titans.
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“I have a high opinion of Justin given he has been here at the Roosters,” Aubusson said.
“Robbo is the best coach I’ve ever had and a great guy to learn off.
“I think if you ask most of his assistant staff they will say the same thing.
“Robbo’s staff works so hard. They are among the hardest working coaches in the league.
“They show up every day, they do their work and they love what they do, so I’m sure Justin will suit the Titans right down to the ground.
“I saw him over at St Helens when we were training in England in the lead-up to the World Club Challenge.
“He is such a good guy and he loved his role over there.”
Ever since news surfaced that Holbrook was in line to take over Garth Brennan as Gold Coast coach, we’ve only heard positive things about the former Knights, Panthers and Roosters halfback.
But what really makes this emerging mentor so highly regarded in rugby league coaching circles?
Talk to Aubusson and the answer is simple.
“Just going off from when Justin was here at the Roosters, he cared about his players,” he said.
“It was players first a lot of the time.
“His knowledge of the game was second to none as well.
“It felt like he really put the players first and as a player you really want that.
“You want to know that you are going on the field every week with your coach having your back.
“I think the Titans will definitely get that from Justin.”
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