Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walter was suspended earlier today after confronting the…

Hull FC have appointed Australian John Cartwright as their head coach for the 2025 Super League season.

Cartwright, 58, has been working as assistant coach at NRL club Brisbane Broncos for the last three and a half years.

A former Australia international in his playing career, he was head coach for Gold Coast Titans for seven years.

He will move to the UK in the autumn to take charge of the Black and Whites’ pre-season preparations for next year.

Simon Grix is currently in interim charge at the MKM Stadium, after Tony Smith left the club last month.

Hull are 11th in Super League with just a single win from 11 matches this season.

Cartwright is one of the most experienced coaches in Australia, having also had roles at Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters, North Queensland Cowboys and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

He is about to be part of the high performance team under former Wigan Warriors head coach Michael Maguire for New South Wales in the forthcoming State of Origin series.

A back-row forward as a player, he spent his career at Penrith before ending with a season at Salford Red Devils in 1997.

He will now see out the season with the Broncos before coming over to Super League.

“When a club the size and the status of Hull FC came along, it was something I really wanted to have a go at,” he told the club’s website.

“My time at the Broncos has made me realise that if a head coach role came along, and one that really interested me, then I would like to have a crack at it.”

Hull director of rugby Richie Myler, himself only appointed last month, is delighted that he has brought in a coach of Cartwright’s experience.

He cites “attention to detail” and “grit and determination” as qualities that can help spark an upturn in the club’s fortunes next year.

“As one of the most experienced coaches across the sport, John’s leadership and direction will take us in a fresh, new direction in 2025,” said Myler.

“Over the last few weeks as we’ve gone through the process of making this decision, it’s become apparent that John is someone who brings real grit, determination and desire to the people around him, and he has the ability to unify by bringing the entire club together on to the same page.”