Paul Green

Australian rugby league coach and former player dies aged 49

Green guided North Queensland Cowboys to their first National Rugby League (NRL) premiership title in 2015.

As a player, he made 162 appearances across five different clubs during a 10-year career, before retiring in 2004.

At the time of his death, he was the head coach of Queensland in the State of Origin Series.

Queensland Police said there were "no suspicious circumstances" around Green's death and that a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Green's family said they are "devastated" by his loss.

Green to remain at helm of Cowboys until 2021

Green, who became head coach in 2014, ended months of speculation about his future when he confirmed on Monday he had agreed to a three-year deal and was staying on at the Cowboys.

Green is relieved to have sorted out his future.

"I am very happy to have my future sorted and even happier my future is with the Cowboys," he said.

"My family is really settled here, my wife hails from the region and we are all really pleased to be able to continue to be part of the North Queensland community.

Green: Asiata the right man for the job

Asiata emerged as an NRL superstar - and made Green look like a genius - after filling in for the injured Thurston in North Quensland’s 28-22 loss to St George Illawarra.

Green’s injury-ravaged club trailed 28-4 at the break before Asiata put the Cowboys on his broad shoulders and set Twitter alight.

The big fella set up two tries and pulled out a kicking game any top half-back would be proud of to almost orchestrate an unlikely win over the in-form Dragons.

“He did a really good job there in the halves,” Green said of his big back-rower.

Green forgives the impatience of youth

After two years of relatively little changes to their regular 17, the Cowboys have been hit hard by injuries in the opening weeks of the Telstra Premiership with Matt Scott, Lachlan Coote, Justin O'Neill and Antonio Winterstein all missing from the Titans clash along with the suspended Jason Taumalolo.

Green to concentrate on Cowboys

While coaching the Maroons remains a career goal of Green’s, he said the timing wasn’t right to take up the role next year.

“I am extremely flattered by the QRL’s interest in me coaching the Maroons. I’m humbled by the overtures and coaching the Maroons is something I am hugely passionate about,” said Green, who played seven Origin games for Queensland from 1999-2001.

“I’ve decided to concentrate on coaching the Cowboys in season 2016, putting all my energies into having another successful season.