Fast-forward 12 months and the roles have been reversed, with Furner returning to the NRL as Green's deputy at the North Queensland Cowboys.

Furner joined the Cowboys on Monday as an assistant coach for the next two years in his first full-time role since he was sacked by the Raiders in August.

The former Test back-rower and Raiders great brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to a new-look Cowboys side.

Green is embarking on his first season in charge of an NRL club after serving as an assistant to Trent Robinson at premiers the Sydney Roosters this year.

Green revealed he could have been at the Raiders instead after getting in touch last year with Furner about filling a role on his coaching staff.

''I had spoken to Dave last year about me going to Canberra potentially, but that didn't eventuate,'' Green said.

''We knew each other and that got the conversation started.

''When I got the job [at the Cowboys] I sounded him out about what he was up to and went from there.''

Furner is in England as an assistant coach with the Kangaroos and will move to Townsville after the World Cup.

The Cowboys will be only his second NRL club after spending 17 years at the Raiders as a player and coach. Furner played 200 games for the Raiders from 1992 to 2000, including the club's most recent premiership in 1994.

He joined the Raiders as an assistant coach in 2006 before taking over from Neil Henry in the main role in 2009.

Furner took the Raiders to the finals in 2010 and 2012 before he was sacked with three rounds left this year.

''He had a great career as a player … and he had some good success at Canberra [as a coach] at different times,'' Green said. ''Having his experience will be a great support for me.

''He's a good bloke, he's rock solid, so it'll be a good addition for us.''

Green said he had spoken to several senior players at the Cowboys who had played under Furner in the Australian team.

Star halfback Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Brent Tate are all in the Kangaroos squad at the World Cup.

Furner has been impressed with the attitude shown by the Cowboys and is looking forward to making a fresh start.

''They really are quality people and everyone I've had dealings with at the Cowboys has been the same,'' he 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.''

Cowboys general manager of football Peter Parr added: ''David brings a strong skill 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.''