Former Hull KR coach Justin Morgan lands new NRL gig after New Zealand Warriors exit

Former Hull KR head coach Justin Morgan is joining the North Queensland Cowboys as an assistant coach under Todd Payten ahead of the 2024 season. Morgan previously served as the head coach for Hull KR between 2005 and 2011, overseeing 178 games during his tenure after earning his stripes at Toulouse Olympique.

His most notable achievement was guiding the Robins back into Super League, bringing the good times back to Craven Park, a place he still holds close to his heart. Since moving on from the Robins, Morgan took on assistant coaching roles with several NRL clubs, including Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm, and most recently, New Zealand Warriors. He also has worked with the Kiwi’s national team, and his experience and insights will be invaluable assets to the North Queensland Cowboys’ coaching staff.

Cowboys Head of Football Michael Luck said: “We’re thrilled to be able to secure an assistant coach of Justin’s experience for 2024. Justin is one the highest regarded assistant coaches in the NRL and comes to us after doing a remarkable job with the Warriors this year.”

Morgan remains popular on the Craven Park terraces following his contributions to the club. He has, in recent times, been linked with a Super League return, though that has never materialised. Now, he’ll be continuing in the NRL.

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The 26-year-old back-rower is the younger brother of St Helens powerhouse Curtis and son of former Australia international Paul.

Sironen has made 81 appearances in the NRL for Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and New Zealand Warriors since making his first-grade debut back in 2017.

Catalans coach Steve McNamara said: Steve McNamara said: “Bayley is a young ambitious player with lots of NRL experience who will be a great addition to our squad.

“He is a player that players love to play alongside and coaches love to coach.

“He will primarily come as a second-row but his versatility will also give us many options.”

Sironen, who can also play loose forward and half-back, says he is looking forward to making the move over to the south of France.

He said: “I am very excited to be coming to such a competitive club, I was really impressed with what Steve had to say and the way he spoke when meeting the coach and I have heard such good things from people who have represented the club in the past.

“I’m looking forward to hopefully bringing more success to the Dragons and can’t wait to move over and get to work.”

Sironen becomes Catalans’ fifth new signing for 2024, joining fellow newbies Chris Satae (Hull FC), Theo Fages (Huddersfield), Tariq Sims (Melbourne Storm) and Jayden Nikorima (Melbourne Storm) in Perpignan.

The Dragons are just 80 minutes away from the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford. They host champions St Helens at the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Friday night in the play-off semi-finals.

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The New Zealand Warriors have made two key changes to their coaching staff for next season in regards to their assistant coach and NSW Cup coach.

The club has confirmed that Slade Griffin will move into the assistant coaching role, whilst David Tangata-Toa will replace Griffin as the Warriors NSW Cup coach.

The promotion of 32-year-old Griffin sees him replace the departing Justin Morgan and will see him work under reigning Dally M Coach of the Year Andrew Webster alongside Stacey Jones and Richard Agar.

Tangata-Toa will bring a wealth of experience to the NSW Cup head coaching role after previously working with the Penrith Panthers, North Queensland Cowboys, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Mate Ma’a Tonga.

“Our commitment as a club is to develop and promote coaches and players from within our system and Slade’s appointment is the perfect example of that,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden in a club statement.

“He’s an outstanding young coach who has made a huge impression since arriving at the club four years ago.

“He did a terrific job with our New South Wales Cup side this year and has worked hard to earn this opportunity.

“In David we have a coach with vast experience at all levels. He’s a perfect fit to come in to take the reins with our reserve grade side.”

McFadden’s words were followed by that of coach Andrew Webster. Webster admitted he was excited to work with Slade Griffin at the first-grade level and was happy about the promotion of David Tangata-Toa.

Webster and Tangata-Toa have a close relationship with each other that began when the latter was playing at Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League while the former was an assistant coach at the club.

“Slade has made a huge impression on me with his ability to develop our local talent, transition our NRL players back to Cup and find a way to win in the process. It’s a great feeling to promote from within our structure,” said Webster.

“David joins our NRL coaching team where he’ll be our New South Wales Cup coach.

“He has had huge success at developing talent at a number of clubs and has been a part of Tonga’s climb on the world stage as an assistant coach.”