Catalans Dragons advised to appoint an NRL assistant

The Perpignan club are looking for a new head coach after parting company with Laurent Frayssinous and Rush identified a host of suitable candidates when leading the search for a successor to Keiron Cunningham.

That search resulted in the appointment of Australian Justin Holbrook, who quit his role as Sydney Roosters assistant and enjoyed instant success as a head coach of Saints by masterminding a 45-0 victory over Hull at the Magic Weekend on Saturday, just 48 hours after arriving in the country.

Holbrook, 41, officially unveiled at a press conference at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Monday afternoon, was the first choice of St Helens, who had witnessed the previous success in Super League enjoyed by former NRL assistant coaches Michael Maguire (Wigan) and Trent Robinson (Catalans).

"It's a model that works," Rush said. "There are a lot of good young NRL coaches but there's only 16 teams to coach, therefore there's a lot of hungry and ambitious people that want an opportunity.

"As with players, the chances of getting someone from first grade in the NRL are just unrealistic nowadays, with what they earn in relation to what Super League pay.

"We went out there knowing of three or four that we really wanted to get to and Justin was always the leading contender.

"The lads who were second and third if you were to do a pecking order were excellent and if Catalans have got to pick up number two or three from where I left off, they will also get a very good coach."

Former St Helens prop David Fairleigh and ex-Wigan and Leeds back rower David Furner were thought to be among other candidates on Saints' short-list.

Maguire and Robinson both earned head coaching roles in the NRL on the back of their Super League success but Holbrook says he is not looking beyond his time with Saints.

"First and foremost I've got to do a good job here," said Holbrook, who reveals he sought advice from two Australians who coached St Helens to Super League titles in Nathan Brown and Daniel Anderson before accepting their offer.

"You are never sure where it's going to lead to. This next two and a half years is my only focus. There is no point looking into the future."

Holbrook knows he could not have experienced a better start to his job as he prepares his new team for a mouth-watering derby with Wigan at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday.

"I've got here at a good time," he said. "I was fortunate enough to arrive in time for the Magic Weekend and that is a great concept and now I get to roll into a local derby.

"It's easier to come into training after a win like that on Saturday but we know we'll be in for a really tough game on Thursday."

Meanwhile, St Helens are still hopeful of making former NRL Grand Final winner Ben Barba the first signing for their new coach.

The former Cronulla full-back is a free agent and poised to return to the 13-man code after being told he is no longer required by French rugby union club Toulon.

Barba, a spectator at the Magic Weekend in Newcastle, is also being linked with Warrington and must serve a 12-week ban for recreational drug use if he returns to rugby league, although Rush hinted that he would explore the possibility of an appeal if St Helens are successful in their bid.

"If we could get the kid, I will explore every angle to make sure he is on that field sooner rather than later," Rush said.

"There is a lot of water to go under the bridge first. In truth, he's got a 12-match ban which the Rugby League have stated they would have to uphold.

"Whether we could appeal that in relation to other cases that have come out in recent weeks, would probably be the argument but, unless he signs for us, then it's not our concern."