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Holbrook: There’s nothing locked in

23 Jul 19, 12:00AM 0 Comments

Written by John Davidson

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook says he has not made a decision on his future yet but will make a call within the next two weeks.

Holbrook has been linked with the vacant Gold Coast Titans job in the NRL for 2020, and also with a possible move to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to replace Dean Pay.

Holbrook is off-contract at Super League side Saints and has yet to sign an extension to his contract that has been offered to him, despite less than three months remaining in the season.

According to reports in Australia, the 43-year-old is set to be interviewed for the Titans role, with the likes of Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters also vying for the position.

Holbrook’s future has been the subject of strong speculation, but he says at the moment he as “nothing locked in” for next year.

“I understand it, I don’t like it but I understand it. No one likes speculation,” he told Everything Rugby League.

“The club here have been great, they want me to stay, which is good. I’ve just asked for a couple of weeks to have a look at some opportunities that may or may not come – that’s the big thing.

“At the moment it’s just speculation, there’s nothing locked in. I don’t want it to drag on because I don’t think it’s good for any club or myself.

“I don’t want it to be about me. Within two weeks it will be sorted.

“I’m happy here so there’s no issue, it’s not anything about that. It’s just having a look if there is any opportunities and having a think about it, and making a decision soon.”

Holbrook left his post as an assistant coach at the Roosters to join St Helens in May 2017. Since his arrival at the Totally Wicked Stadium have won 61 of 77 games and took out the minor premiership last year.

In 2019 Saints are top of Super League and have lost only three of 23 fixtures.

Holbrook played 17 games in the NRL as a halfback from 1999 to 2002 with Newcastle, Penrith and the Roosters. He has worked on the coaching staff of the Bulldogs, Dragons and Tricolors, and served as coach of the Junior Kangaroos.

Holbrook doesn’t want talk of his future to derail St Helens’ impressive season this year.

“They’re not fussed [about my future], they’re players,” he said.

“There’s speculation in a lot of things. I don’t want it to drag on because it can become an issue if it goes on forever.

“It will be sorted in a couple of weeks and then we won’t have to worry.”

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