From mates to rivals: Robbo and Holbrook put friendship aside in battle for glory

Two years on and the close mates are preparing to go head-to-head in Sunday's NRL grand final when the Roosters take on the Knights. 

While many figured Holbrook would help turn Newcastle into a premiership contender, the pace of the turnaround has exceeded all expectations. 

After finishing last in 2025 with the worst attack in the competition, the coach has unlocked attacking weapons all across the park.

Newcastle winger Dom Young has scored 23 tries this season, with fellow winger Greg Marzhew crossing for 24 tries, and is among the players who have been coached by both Holbrook and Robinson.

Having spent 18 months with the Roosters before returning to the Knights midway through last season, the Englishman said the pair have vastly different personalities. 

"They're very different coaches," Young said. "Justin is a bit more easy-going and a jokester who doesn't take things too seriously. Robbo is a bit more of a serious character. 

"They're both good coaches and have different styles and ways of getting the best out of their players. 

"Justin has been massive for us. The way he's brought it all together this year, the style of football we're playing and the way everyone's bought into it. He's been a really good coach for us."

The differences between the two men were on display at Thursday's Grand Final Press Conference. 

Robinson was steely-eyed and focused on the task at hand. Holbrook was cracking jokes and soaking in the excitement of his first decider as a head coach.

"I've been this way all year," Holbrook said when asked about his jovial mood. "It's no different to the start of the finals series. We've been confident we could play well and win every week and we've faced some different challenges. 

"I'm so happy for the playing group and how hard they've worked. We've earned our way to Sunday and I'm not going to change the way I am or the playing group."

Beneath the playful exterior lies a hard underbelly that has demanded excellence from his players. 

A former Knight who was also part of the Roosters squad during their 2002 premiership season, Holbrook has placed an emphasis on ensuring his team reflects the hard-working nature of the community they represent. 

Attacking football is encouraged but a defensive resolve is non-negotiable. It's a characteristic that has shone through in epic finals victories over the Warriors and Panthers, Newcastle reduced to 12-men in last week's win over Penrith. 

Given the attacking weapons the Roosters boast, the Knights know Sunday's match will be won through defence rather than a high-scoring shootout. 

Veteran Tyson Frizell said that message has been drilled into the squad and Holbrook has made his expectations of the playing group clear. 

"He's made us all accountable about our jobs and our roles," Frizell said. "He's given us confidence to be the side that we are. 

"It's hard to put into words what he's been able to do to this group. He's given us a lot of belief. He simplifies things for us but has made us all accountable and made sure everyone knows exactly what they're doing every week. 

"He's held everyone to account and has been so good for us. I can't say anything bad about him, he's been unreal."

As for Robinson, Sunday's decider marks a return to the big dance seven years after his last appearance. 

Already a three-time premiership winner, a fourth will elevate him to an elite group.

Tim Sheens and Ivan Cleary have each claimed four titles, while Jack Gibson won five and Wayne Bennett has seven. Arthur Halloway prevailed in eight grand finals between 1916 and 1945. 

While Daly Cherry-Evans has attracted plenty of headlines, the underappreciated storyline of the Roosters path to the grand final has been the development of their youngsters. 

Naufahu Whyte, Siua Wong, Salesi Foketi and Rob Toia are just a handful of players Robinson has turned into stars and veteran Lindsay Collins said the coach has a unique ability to get the best out of his players. 

"He always wants more for us," Collins said. "He will never settle for anything less. As players we're developing and he's always asking us what's next. 

"That mindset keeps driving you and makes you ask yourself 'how hard do you want to squeeze the lemon? What can you get out of yourself?'

"I'm not the player I am today if I'm not in this system under Robbo. I was pretty raw when I first come in but the structure of the system has made me the player I am today."

After 4 weeks of thrilling finals, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 7.30pm Sunday night live on Nine, 9Now and Sky Sports NZ.