Broncos secure services of Mooney

Former Queensland Reds coach Phil Mooney has been appointed as backs coach at the Brisbane Broncos in a shock move to the NRL giants.

After watching his side bow out of the 2009 premiership race at the hands of eventual premier Melbourne, Broncos jersey coach Ivan Henjak foreshadowed changes in his second year in the post Wayne Bennett held for 21 seasons.

And he has followed through on the promise, promoting highly-regarded under-20s coach Anthony Griffin into a full-time assistant role.

We understand Griffin will look after the defensive structures of the team, with Mooney to oversee the development of the Broncos star-studded though youth-laden backline.

Despite boasting just a 23 per cent winning rate in his two seasons at the helm of the embattled Reds, Mooney is known as for his outstanding work with young players and his technical proficiency developing backlines.

He made his name in rugby union guiding the Australian under-19s side to victory in the 2006 World Cup -- a tournament in which Australia has traditionally struggled.