Despite Super League connections, former Warrington half-back and Wigan and England coach Lee Briers appears likely to make an unexpected NRL move.
Briers spent 15 years at St Helens after leaving his mark, during which time he represented both Wales and Great Britain.
After ending his playing career, he held prominent coaching positions with the Wigan Warriors, England, and the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League.
It had appeared that he would eventually transition into a head coaching position.
“I always had faith in my coaching ability and if it turns out that I go on to become a head coach, it pays off,” he said to rugby-league.com last year. Either in Super League or the NRL, that is ultimately the goal.
He allegedly turned down an offer from Hull FC to become their head coach, though, and they ultimately appointed his colleague John Cartwright in his place.
The Australian Daily Telegraph now claims that he will work as an assistant coach with Wayne Bennett at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Lee Briers staying away from Super League
After Jason Demetriou was fired, there was much speculation for months about who would be Souths’ next head coach. Eventually, legendary coach Wayne Bennett was chosen. Notable candidates included Sam Burgess.
It appears that Lee Briers will be joining the team in 2025, as reported by The Telegraph.
Briers’ time at Souths under master Wayne Bennett may be his last “apprenticeship,” as they reported that he is “now keen to have a stint under Bennett and eventually become an NRL head coach.” That’s the strategy that former St Helens coach Kristian Woolf employed while working as Bennett’s assistant at the Dolphins prior to taking over the position the following season.
It could be a nightmare for Brisbane Broncos head coach Kevvie Walters if these reports come to pass and Briers does leave to join Souths. After losing Cartwright, the team has now lost two assistant coaches in as many weeks, so Walters will need to begin the search for a replacement.
Briers won’t be travelling to Hull FC anytime soon, so his first head coaching experience won’t happen until at least 2026.
