Rigg will unite with fellow Brothers junior James Hay at the helm this year, beginning with their season opener against crosstown rivals Kangaroos at Equex Centre on Saturday.

An ACL injury picked up playing for Group Seven outfit Shellharbour has ruled Rigg out for the season.

The 26-year-old has spent time in St George-Illawarra's feeder system and helped Collegians to a couple of Illawarra premierships, where he played under former Dragons hooker Nathan Fein, before COVID prevented them from playing last year.

He coached a women's tackle side to a grand final in Illawarra, but is preparing for his maiden stint with a men's first grade side.

"For us it's about making sure the effort's there. We've been doing a heap of defence as well, hopefully that comes into our game naturally now," Rigg said.

"We've had a fair few players leave and it's due to many different reasons. Having a very new side it's about jelling together and there's a fair few young fellas stepping up as well.

"I've known Jimmy (Hay) for a fair while. I made sure I got onto him straight away after (Brothers president Mitch Dunn) spoke to me, because I didn't feel too comfortable moving back and getting straight into it.

"We're on the same page. I love his attitude around footy and we're pretty similar in how we think about the game."

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Rigg, a hooker, had surgery on his knee in November and may have been a hope to return in the back end of the season, but has opted to take all of 2021 off to ensure he returns to his best next year.

"I was under Nathan Fein at Collegians and learned a bit of the trade from him, and the Illawarra comp would be considered one of the best in NSW," he said.

"I probably could have come back a bit later in the season, but for a bit of longevity and wanting to play for a few more years I decided not to risk it.

"Jimmy and I want to do the same thing (co-coaching) next year, so that will be about putting together a side that's built to our strengths.

"As just a player you come into the side and the coach takes the reins, but being player-coaches we'll have to build the side to match our strengths."

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