Manchester: Sea Eagles star Jake Trbojevic has revealed the promise Anthony Seibold made him in their first chat since he was appointed Manly coach.
Seibold told Trbojevic he had “learned his lessons” from a volatile stint at the Broncos which saw him sacked 18 months into a five-year contract.
Seibold is currently working for England’s rugby side under Eddie Jones and will return to Australia later this month following their November Tests.
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It marks a stunning comeback for the coach many believed would never return to the NRL – so messy was his Brisbane exit.
Trbojevic, who will play for Australia in the World Cup final against Samoa on Sunday AEDT, worked with Seibold when he was an assistant at Manly in 2016 and said he deserves another crack in the NRL.
“He’s still finishing off his stuff with England but we had a little chat,” Trbojevic said from Kangaroos camp in Manchester.
“I worked with him back in 2016 so I know him fairly well. I think he’s a really good guy and a really good coach, I think he’ll be good for us.
“He made a really good impression in 2016, he was really good at the Rabbitohs and even in his first year in Brisbane they made the eight, so I think he definitely deserves another crack.
“He’s got great attention to detail, I know that and seeing the way he’s gone off… he said he learnt his lessons.
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“He’s worked in another sport and I think that sort of thing will be really good for us and I reckon he’ll be really good for our group.”
Seibold has replaced Des Hasler who was sacked in the wake of Mandy’s pride jersey saga.
The Sea Eagles lost their final seven games of the season amid the controversy to finish 11th on the ladder.
They’ll face the Bulldogs, Eels, Rabbitohs and Knights in their first four games of the 2023 season.
