Hull KR unveil Australian Craig Sandercock as new coach

Craig Sandercock will be taking up his first head coaching role

Hull Kingston Rovers have appointed little-known Australian Craig Sandercock as their new head coach.

The 42-year-old, who had been assistant coach at the Newcastle Knights, has signed a two-year deal to succeed fellow Aussie Justin Morgan.

Rovers chief executive Mike Smith said: "He has an excellent reputation within the NRL and was highly recommended.

"He has a special talent for developing young players and that was a key element for us."

Sandercock, a former economics teacher, had a brief spell at London Broncos during his playing days.

Canterbury Bulldogs head coach Kevin Moore and South Sydney assistant Kurt Wrigley were also linked with the Hull KR role.

He told BBC Radio Humberside: "It came out of the blue a little bit although it's been a pretty thorough process and [Rovers chairman] Neil [Hudgell] got in touch with me around July or August.

"When I did some research about the club and it's history and traditions it just made me want to come even more.

"There's only 30 head-coaching jobs in the world and to secure one of the great clubs like Hull KR is just fantastic."

Sandercock's appointment comes just a month after neighbouring Hull appointed Wests Tigers assistant Peter Gentle as their new head coach, while Salford took a similar option earlier this year with the choice of former North Queensland assistant Matt Parish as the successor to Shaun McRae.

It currently means that Australians now hold the senior coaching position at 10 of the 14 Super League clubs.

Morgan is now lined up to take a job Down Under and has been linked with the post created at Canterbury by the departure of unsuccessful Rovers applicant Moore.

The Robins finished seventh in Super League this season, bowing out of the play-offs in a 56-6 hammering by Catalan Dragons.