Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Melissa Woods

Broncos assistant to coach Hull Super League side

Brisbane assistant John Cartwright is heading to the UK to take over as Hull FC coach. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Hull FC have recruited another Australian head coach with current Brisbane assistant John Cartwright joining the English rugby league club.

Cartwright replaces Tony Smith, while another Australian Brett Hodgson held the role before joining the Wallabies' disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign as an assistant to Eddie Jones.

The 58-year-old has been with the Broncos for the past three and a half seasons, having previously held the head coach position at Gold Coast and other roles with Sydney Roosters, Manly and North Queensland Cowboys.

Also part of the NSW State of Origin coaching team, Cartwright is expected to arrive in the UK to take up the post ahead of Hull's pre-season programme following the annual series.

Smith departed the position last month following a miserable start to the season with interim coach Simon Grix in charge with the side 11th in the Super League with just two points from 11 games.

Cartwright said his time at Brisbane, who made last year's NRL grand final, had made him realise he wanted another top job.

"It's really exciting for me," he told the Hull FC website.

"When a club the size and the status of Hull FC came along, it was something I really wanted to have a go at.

"My time at the Broncos has made me realise that if a head coach role came along, and one that really interested me, then I would like to have a crack at it.

"It's probably been about ten years since my last head coach role and I've been very fortunate to work alongside some really good coaches in Paul Green at the Cowboys, Des Hasler at Manly and now Kevin Walters at Brisbane and I made sure I kept learning throughout my time at those clubs.

"I feel that I am way better prepared to coach now than I was when I first began at the Titans."

Kevin Walters and John Cartwright.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters (L) and assistant John Cartwright (R) look over a training session. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

A former back-rower with Penrith, NSW and Australia, Cartwright said under his watch the Hull FC players would be ready to go for the next season.

"They'll be fit, they'll be hungry and they'll be enjoying their footy and if we can get those three things happening, that'll be an improvement from the word go," he added.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.