Warriors’ chase for new coach cranks up
THE New Zealand Warriors expect to finalise a shortlist this weekend as the search for a new head coach heats up.
In the wake of Stephen Kearney’s sacking nearly two weeks ago, the Warriors have received a stack of interest with as many as 18 candidates throwing their names forward.
The Warriors are adamant they did not identify a new coach prior to axing Kearney and this remains a live decision. It is also up in the air if they will pluck a new coach from the existing list, or try to entice an NRL coach currently employed at a rival club.
That is understood to be a serious option that is still up for debate.
The fact of the matter is a contract in the NRL these days is hardly a deterrent, even in the coaching ranks. In recent years Ivan Cleary moved from Wests Tigers to Penrith, and Anthony Seibold and Wayne Bennett switched between Brisbane and South Sydney.
The question would be which big name coach may be tempted if the Warriors do go down that path.
One thing Warriors owner Mark Robinson, chief executive of Autex Industries, is not short of is money. Bennett has made it clear he is not interested, while respected Sydney Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon has stated he won’t be leaving Bondi at this point.
Names mentioned so far include Tim Sheens, Anthony Griffin, Nathan Brown, Geoff Toovey, Trent Barrett, Wigan coach Shaun Wane and current caretaker coach Todd Payten.
The Warriors have established a selection panel including Robinson, chairman Rob Croot, chief executive Cameron George and former captain Simon Mannering. Senior players will also be consulted.
Robinson said last year the culture of the Warriors needs to change – and he showed with Kearney’s sacking that he is not afraid of making tough decisions.
The Warriors also have 14 players coming off contract at the end of the season, which is why it was decided now was the right time to make the call on Kearney.
The belief was if Kearney wasn’t going to be coaching next year it would be unfair to lead him along as they searched for a new coach and made big calls on players.
What they need now is a coach who can go there and turn it around sooner rather than later.
This is a club that seems to have spent its entire existence building towards a future that never arrives, which is why it would be a massive gamble to again go for a coach without proven success as a head coach.
The Warriors having only reached the finals once since making the grand final in 2011.
They played in the finals under Kearney in 2018 but were knocked out on the first weekend.
QUEENSLAND Origin star Corey Oates says he didn’t see his axing at Brisbane coming and has vowed to channel his frustration at being dropped into reclaiming his starting spot on the Broncos’ flanks.
In his only interview on his demotion, a shattered Oates said he had a point to prove to coach Anthony Seibold as he begins his fightback against the New Zealand Warriors tonight in Gosford.
Oates has gone 343 days without a try in the NRL and was relegated to 18th man duties for the Warriors clash after paying the price for Brisbane’s dismal 30-12 loss to the Gold Coast last Saturday night.
But prop Matt Lodge’s late withdrawal with a knee injury has opened the door for Oates, who is an 11th-hour addition and will be deployed as a backrower off the bench at Central Coast Stadium.
It is not the ideal backdrop for Oates’s 150th NRL game, with the Maroons winger admitting he was shocked to receive the news he was the only casualty of Brisbane’s derby loss to the Titans.
“To be honest, I didn’t see it coming and I don’t think I deserved to be dropped,” Oates said.
“I was heartbroken when the coach dropped me. It bloody hurt. I didn’t take it lightly and I wasn’t happy, I was pretty pissed off for a couple of days and then I just thought there is no point kicking cans.
“It was a tough pill to swallow. I’ve had a conversation with the coach and I said I will still be the same person around the team. I will just train and work hard to get my starting spot back.”
Captain Alex Glenn did his best to lighten the mood at training yesterday, sneaking up behind Oates and pulling his pants down, which left teammates laughing and the would-be 150-gamer looking a little sheepish.
“I was a bit surprised that I was the only guy dropped and no one else, but now I’m back in the team with ‘ Lodgey’ out so I guess I get another chance,” Oates said.
“I feel I’ve been doing a pretty decent job on the wing. It is what it is. It’s my 150th game and I’m coming off the bench so I will just do what I can and hopefully we can get a win against the Warriors.”
The relegation of Oates adds further intrigue to his future at Red Hill.
One of the club’s most popular players with fans, Oates has scored 92 career tries and has been Brisbane’s premier winger for five years, but he fears he is being groomed for the forwards before he is ready.
While Oates has spoken of his desire to be a back-rower later in his career, the veteran of eight Origin games believes he has more to offer as a winger in the current set-up.
He has conveyed that message to Seibold.
“Seibs asked me last week if I wanted to be a back-rower or a winger and I said to him I want to play wing,” he said.
“Down the track, I might end up in the forwards, but right now I believe I’m best suited to the wing.”