Leeds Rhinos legend joins York City Knights coaching staff

LEEDS RHINOS legend Brett Delaney is York City Knights’ new assistant coach - tasked with bringing his famous defensive fortitude to their ranks.
Leeds Rhinos' Brett Delaney takes on the Melbourne Storm defence in the 2018 World Club Challenge in Australia. (Brendon Ratnayake/SWpix.com/PhotosportNZ)Leeds Rhinos' Brett Delaney takes on the Melbourne Storm defence in the 2018 World Club Challenge in Australia. (Brendon Ratnayake/SWpix.com/PhotosportNZ)
Leeds Rhinos' Brett Delaney takes on the Melbourne Storm defence in the 2018 World Club Challenge in Australia. (Brendon Ratnayake/SWpix.com/PhotosportNZ)

The Australian back-row, 36, won every honour in the game during nine seasons at Emerald Headingley.

His appointment at the Championship club is his first official move into first-team coaching but - since retiring - Delaney has helped both Rhinos’ academy and scholarship squads.

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York head coach James Ford brought him in after Jack Howieson departed to take up a role with Sheffield Hawks RU.

“Brett has played at the highest level and in the conversations that we have had, it’s clear that he will have a massive impact on the defensive side of our preparations,” he said.

“We’ve got some similar philosophies on that and, while I will oversee it, he will lead on the defence side of things.

“That will probably help me focus on other areas of our performance and preparation.”

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Delaney, who retired in 2019 shortly after leaving Leeds for Featherstone Rovers and was renowned as one of Super League’s toughest operators, said: “I’m not going to tell a half-back how to throw the ball around in attack.”

York City Knights head coach James Ford, at Wembley this year, with captain Chris Clarkson (middle), who is a former Leeds Rhinos team-mate of new assistant coach Brett Delaney. (Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)York City Knights head coach James Ford, at Wembley this year, with captain Chris Clarkson (middle), who is a former Leeds Rhinos team-mate of new assistant coach Brett Delaney. (Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)
York City Knights head coach James Ford, at Wembley this year, with captain Chris Clarkson (middle), who is a former Leeds Rhinos team-mate of new assistant coach Brett Delaney. (Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

“But I made a career out of defence and being a defensive player. “With that comes structure. There’s wrestle and all sorts of things that come with a defensive system.

“I believe I can bring that and help support Fordy to change the mentality.”

Wakefield Trinity back-row Connor Bailey, 21, has joined Newcastle Thunder on a permanent deal after spending last season there on loan.

Hull FC centre Jude Ferreria, 20, will play for London Broncos on a season-long loan in 2022.

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