NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has praised assistant coach Justin Morgan's impact at the Auckland-based NRL club, before his move to North Queensland Cowboys.
Morgan has been at the Warriors since 2016, but will now head back home to Australia to be Todd Payten's righthand man on a three-year deal.
He was previously linked with a move back to the Super League, after coaching Hull Kingston Rovers, where Webster served as his assistant.
Instead, he will link up with the Cowboys, a move Webster describes as amicable and one he understands.
"Morgo is a great coach," he said. "I worked under Morgo for six years in England and wish him all the best.
"They've got a good one there and he's going to be sorely missed, but like everything, this is the business of rugby league, people move on and get different opportunities. Morgs wanted to move back for personal reasons to Australian shores and we support that.
"I know he's loved his time here, know he's having a strong contribution right now and I know that will continue.
"We haven't lost him as if we've done something wrong, we part on really good terms and I wish him all the best."
Morgan's move ends another era at the Warriors, having also played 28 games at the club, where he was part of the famous 2002 Minor Premiership-winning team.
He joins a familiar face to the Mt Smart faithful at the Cowboys, with Payten serving as interim coach at the Warriors in 2020.
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