Sacked Canberra NRL coach David Furner will link with North Queensland for the next two seasons as an assistant to newly appointed Paul Green.

Furner, assistant to Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens, will join the Cowboys after the Rugby League World Cup in the UK, France and Ireland.

Furner said the chance to continue working with the Cowboys’ four Australian representatives – Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, James Tamou and Brent Tate – was one of the reasons he decided to make the move north.

“They really are quality people and everyone I’ve had dealings with at the Cowboys has been the same,” the former Test and Origin forward said.

“The Cowboys have always struck me as being a really family-type club and that’s the type of environment I want to be part of.

“It’s going to be a new chapter in my life and it’s going to be a very exciting one.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Paul Green and the tremendous roster the Cowboys have assembled.

“Greeny and I will continue to have some talks and he’ll let me know what areas he wants me to focus on.

“We’ve got that working relationship going straight away even though I’m over here in England.

“We’ll be putting our plans together before I head back to Australia.”

Cowboys general manager football Peter Parr said the club was delighted to have someone of Furner’s coaching calibre.

“David brings a strong skills set to the job, including a great work ethic and knowledge of the game, and will be ready to make a difference with the Cowboys.”

An announcement on a second Cowboys assistant coach is expected later this week.