Lee Briers: Wigan Warriors coach to join NRL side Brisbane Broncos in 2023

Lee Briers' tactical mind is much respected in rugby league circles, after a superb playing career

Wigan Warriors assistant coach Lee Briers will depart at the end of the 2022 season to take up a coaching opportunity with Australian National Rugby League club Brisbane Broncos.

The 44-year-old former stand-off will join Kevin Walters' staff at the Queensland-based club from 2023.

After a 456-game career, Briers worked at Warrington, where he played for 15 years, before moving to Wigan in 2021.

"It's a big decision to leave Wigan," Briers told BBC Radio Manchester.

"It's a fantastic job but this was something I couldn't turn down.

"Originally there were talks last year that there could be something in Australia but with Covid it was just a no-go situation.

"I signed for Wigan, which has been great, but I got contacted by Brisbane about eight weeks ago now to see whether I'd like to join the organisation."

Briers' reputation follows a stellar career as a player in which his rugby league brain and vast skillset made him one of the most incisive playmakers of a generation - but never got the chance to play in the elite NRL.

On his move into coaching, Briers was widely seen as a key part in Tony Smith and then Steve Price's Warrington sides, in devising attacking game plans and providing guidance and mentoring to the halves.

The same has applied at Wigan since joining, working closely with Harry Smith on his development and helping to create an attacking structure that has made the Cherry and Whites top Super League try scorers in 2022 with 116, and Challenge Cup winners this season as well.

"In a short space of time, the club and Lee have had an impact on each other," executive director and former on-field rival Kris Radlinski told the club website.

"Lee has embraced the town, the fans and the players and staff. He brings great energy and enthusiasm to work every day. His passion for rugby league is unique."