NRL: Former Warriors front-rower Justin Morgan returns as assistant coach

Justin Morgan in action for the Warriors against the Cronulla Sharks in 2001. Photo/Getty.

Former Warriors front-rower Justin Morgan has been confirmed as a new assistant coach to head coach Andrew McFadden for the 2016 season.

Morgan will join the club after finishing his commitments this season as defensive coach at the Melbourne Storm, following their NRL preliminary-finals defeat to the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night.

Morgan's appointment is one of a number of changes as part of the Warriors restructured NRL football department announced yesterday.

Former Warriors NYC and NRL coach Tony Iro has been appointed to fill the recently-advertised recruitment and development manager's role, while Brendan Inkster is joining the club from Manly as the NRL strength, power and rehab manager.

"We also have some changes in other areas of the football department as a result of our end of season reviews," said McFadden.

"It's exciting to sign a coach of Justin's calibre and experience, especially with the work he has done with the Storm as defensive coach. He has coached extensively in the Super League and the NRL and also had time at our club as a player.

"The recruitment position is vital for us. In Tony we have the ideal person to fill it with his knowledge as an NYC and NRL coach and also his experience in high performance with the New Zealand Rugby League and the Kiwis.

"Brendan will benefit our NRL players hugely. He has been part of a great programme working with Donny Singe at Manly, a club which, like Melbourne, has an impressive record over a long period of time."

Morgan made 28 appearances for the Warriors in 2001-2002 after previously playing for Parramatta and Canberra.

He and McFadden were team-mates at the Raiders in 2000 and then again as NRL assistant coaches in 2012 before McFadden joined the Warriors.

Morgan retired at 26 to turn to coaching, initially in France before he had seven seasons with Hull Kingston Rovers when he guided the Robins back into the Super League. He returned to Australia as an assistant coach at Canberra in 2012-2013 and has been with the Storm the last two seasons.

"This is a great opportunity to come back to Auckland to work with Cappy [McFadden], the rest of the staff and the players," said Morgan.

"I have great memories of my time with the club in 2001 and 2002 and really look forward to this opportunity to help take the Warriors to the heights everyone expects of the club."
Iro said he relished the opportunity to work in the recruitment area.

"I've gained a lot of experience in a number of roles since first joining the Warriors in 2005 and then working with the NZRL," he said.

"Recruitment is such a critical area and I'm excited about working closely with Cappy and (managing director) Jim (Doyle) to ensure we continue to improve our performance."

McFadden last week confirmed the wider NRL squad for 2016 was almost complete. So far five new players have been signed - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Issac Luke, Ligi Sao, Blake Ayshford and Henare Wells. There are a few spots still to be filled.

Apart from players involved with the Kiwis end of year tour to England, the rest of the squad is scheduled to start its 2016 offseason training programme on November 2.