FORMER York Knights assistant coach Brett Delaney has reunited with Danny McGuire at Castleford Tigers.

McGuire replaced Craig Lingard as Castleford’s head coach last week and has wasted little time in bringing in Delaney as his new right hand man.

His appointment to the top job coincided with Delaney’s departure from beaten Super League Grand Finalists Hull KR, leading to wide speculation that the pair would again link up in West Yorkshire.

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The Australian, who won eight major honours across over 200 appearances for Leeds Rhinos, took up his maiden first-team coaching role at the Knights in October 2021.

With a reputation as one of the Super League’s toughest players, the former Parramatta Eels forward brought a defensive focus to James Ford’s side, who were eight points clear inside the play-offs at the time of his move to Hull in July 2022.

Though Tony Smith's departure meant he left for the Robins months earlier than planned, Delaney labelled his time with the Knights as the best move he had made in his fledgling coaching career, and head coach Ford as among the best he had worked with.

Whilst with York, the 39-year-old also made forays into the amateur game in the city, taking on a director of rugby role with New Earswick All Blacks.

McGuire is delighted to be working alongside his former Rhinos teammate again, explaining: “In taking on the Head Coach role it was essential to me that I got the right person by my side and I’m really happy that Brett has decided to join us at Castleford. 

“In my opinion, he’s one of the best defensive coaches in the game and will be a real asset to the club. 

“He has a lot to bring to the table; the lads will benefit from his experience and coaching style and I’m really looking forward to working alongside him again”

Delaney is looking forward to his new role, adding: “I’m looking forward to joining Cas and working with Maggsy again, it will be a new challenge for me, with a new group; I’ll be leading on the defensive side of things and I’m looking forward to putting some different systems in place.”