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‘Cannot find the words’: Shock as NRL coach Paul Green dies, aged 49

Celebrated NRL coach Paul Green's sudden death

The rugby league world is in shock following the death of 49-year-old premiership-winning coach Paul Green at his Brisbane home on Thursday morning.

Green was a former Queensland State of Origin coach and a rugby league star in his own right.

His family said they were “devastated” by his sudden death.

“We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son,” they said in a joint statement on Thursday afternoon.

“We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feelings.

“Paul was loved by so many and we know that this news will generate immense interest. However, at this time we ask for privacy. Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy and we request space and time as we come to terms with his loss.”

The cause of Green’s death remains unknown, with an autopsy to be conducted.

Green played 162 games for five clubs as a halfback, five-eighth and hooker while also playing seven State of Origins for Queensland. He won the 1995 Rothmans Medal as the league’s best and fairest player that year.

But he will forever be remembered as the man who helped guide North Queensland to its maiden premiership in 2015.

In total, he was in charge of the Cowboys in 167 games with the 2015 title coming in just his second season as head coach.

He left the club in 2020 and took over as Queensland’s State of Origin coach last year. When he resigned from that job last September, it appeared certain Green would resume his days as an NRL coach.

He was linked to Wests Tigers at the end of last season and was expected to take on a role at the Dolphins next year.

Green’s death will hit the NRL hard.

Beyond those still at North Queensland, he has coached several players who began their careers in Townsville or played for the Maroons last year.

On Thursday night alone, Cameron Munster, Xavier Coates and Viliame Kikau were among those due to take to the field just hours after learning of their former coach’s death.

Green was in Sydney only last weekend for the Cronulla ex-players’ reunion. He played 95 games for the club before moving north to the Cowboys.

He was also a part of the Sydney Roosters’ 2002 premiership-winning squad, before finishing his playing days at Parramatta and Brisbane.

Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay paid tribute to Green’s decorated history with the club and his pivotal impact.

“Paul first came to our club as a player in the late ’90s and was the club’s first Origin representative. But his lasting legacy emanated from his seven-season tenure as head coach of the North Queensland Cowboys,” he said.

“Paul’s arrival as head coach transformed our club from finals contenders to an immediate premiership force, culminating in the historic 2015 grand final victory.

“We will forever remember Paul as one of the greatest contributors in Cowboys history.”

Michael Morgan, who played five-eighth in the Cowboys’ premiership win, said Green was “more than influential” in his career.

“You grow up playing [rugby league], you think you know everything but he just opened up a whole new world to the actual knowledge of the game for me,” Morgan told Triple M.

“I’ve never been able to thank him enough.”

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said his thoughts were with Green’s family and friends.

“I had the pleasure of sitting on the NRL competition committee and found Paul to be a passionate, smart and witty individual. Our condolences go to his family and to his many friends,” he said.

The Roosters and Broncos also passed on their condolences to Green’s family and said they were deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

“The extended Roosters family are deeply saddened to have lost Paul Green, a Rooster for life. Our thoughts are with his family. A Rooster for life. Forever #Rooster998,” the club tweeted.

“We are deeply saddened at the tragic passing of Queenslander and former Bronco, Paul Green,” the Broncos tweeted.

“A legend on and off the field gone far too soon.”

Green is survived by wife Amanda and children Emerson and Jed.

-with AAP

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