Former Hull KR captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall has confirmed a return to Sydney Roosters with the ex-New Zealand international continuing his coaching career.

After retiring from playing at the end of the 2023 season, Kenny-Dowall took up a coaching role with Hull KR before then returning down under to another of his former NRL clubs.

The 38-year-old was appointed as the pathways development coach at Newcastle Knights in February but after helping the Knights win the Harold Matthews Cup in 2026, he’s moved on to join another of his former clubs – Sydney Roosters.

Kenny-Dowall started his career with the Roosters, playing a total of 224 games for them between 2007 and 2017, joining the Knights midway through that 2017 season.

He’d head over to England and link up with Hull KR in 2020, ultimately becoming the club’s captain and helping set about the big cultural changes that have led to trophies in 2025.

Appointed as a coach with the Robins, he returned down under and his new role has now been confirmed with the former Hull KR man announcing the news via his LinkedIn.

Hull KR hero Shaun Kenny-Dowall lands Sydney Roosters return

It will again see him coach the Harold Matthews Cup team, which is the under-17 age group, whilst he will also head up the academy.

Ironically, it’s a move that sees him take charge of the club that he helped defeat in last year’s final with his victorious Newcastle Knights’ Harold Matthews Cup side defeating the Roosters 22-0.

With over 275 NRL appearances, 83 Super League appearances, and 21 caps for New Zealand, the 38-year-old will prove an ideal role model for those in that youth system – particularly given Kenny-Dowall’s long association with the Roosters, for whom he won one NRL premiership.

In taking on the role of Harold Matthews Cup coach, Kenny-Dowall replaces another former Super League outside back as ex-Leeds Rhinos man Paul Momirovski was previously in charge of that age group, however, he’s now progressed to become coach of the Roosters’ New South Wales Cup side.

Related Topics