NRL 2021: The coaches waiting in the wings to secure top job
Michael Maguire is fighting to save his future at Wests Tigers while a host of other coaches are coming off contract, but who’s waiting in the wings to jump into an NRL hot seat?
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s often said that such is the uncertainty of their job, rugby league coaches should never buy a home, they should rent.
With just four weeks remaining of the regular season, no other coach in the competition needs to finish with a flurry more than Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire.
The Wests Tigers players’ fight for their coach continues against wooden-spoon favourites Canterbury on Sunday.
Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Beyond this season, Parramatta’s Brad Arthur, Brisbane’s Kevin Walters, the Roosters’ Trent Robinson and St George Illawarra’s Anthony Griffin are off-contract at the end of 2022.
Of that quartet, Robinson would be the only coach guaranteed a contract extension.
These are the 15 past, present and possibly future mentors in the coaching queue for success-hungry clubs.
WAYNE BENNETT
(Rabbitohs head coach)
As it stands, Bennett is searching the classifieds for a job next year with his exit from Redfern just months away. It makes sense for Wests Tigers to dial Bennett back in, given how hard the Tigers chased the supercoach before eventually signing Maguire. Bennett, 71, is hanging out as long as he can to head home to Brisbane and link with a new Queensland franchise. But the NRL’s delay on expansion only enhances the Tigers’ prospects. He would bring immediate clout and commercial appeal.
DEAN YOUNG
(Cowboys assistant coach)
A future NRL coach in the eyes of many having progressed through the coaching ladder since his retirement as a player in 2012. Young got a taste of NRL coaching when he took over the Dragons for the final six matches of 2020 – winning two – after Paul McGregor was moved on. Pipped by Anthony Griffin for the head coaching role for this year, leading to him linking with Todd Payten at the Cowboys. Brings toughness and relationships with the best young talent in the game, as well as attention to detail and preparation – as he did as a player.
PAUL MCGREGOR
(NSW under-19s coach)
Axed with six games remaining in 2020, he’s the longest-serving coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons – 151 games for 70 wins and two finals campaigns. Hardworking and respected, he still has aspirations to coach in the NRL. He is staying connected to some of the best young talent as coach of the NSW under-19s.
STEVE PRICE
(Head coach Warrington)
Announced he’s headed home after four years coaching Warrington. Price has matured and developed immensely since being appointed head coach of the Dragons in 2012 at the age of 34. The defensive coach for Cronulla in their 2016 premiership season, Price led Warrington to victory in the 2019 Challenge Cup Final. The Titans, Raiders and Sharks have discussed using Price on their coaching staff in 2022.
JASON RYLES
(Roosters assistant coach in 2022)
Played for St George Illawarra, the Roosters and the Storm as well as Super League side Catalans. Left Melbourne in November to work for England rugby union coach Eddie Jones, only to have his plans curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Forced to relinquish the role with Jones, Ryles has been snapped up by the Roosters as an assistant coach to Trent Robinson next season.
SHANE FLANAGAN
(Former Sharks premiership-winning coach, Fox League expert)
Outside of Wayne Bennett, Flanagan has the most successful record of any coach on the open market, taking Cronulla to six finals series in seven years, including the 2016 title. Understands what a successful roster looks like and is hungry to make up for the time he has spent out of the game.
CAMERON CIRALDO
(Penrith assistant coach)
One of the best young coaches in the game with an ambition to become an NRL coach. Ciraldo replaced Anthony Griffin at Penrith in the final six weeks of the 2018 season, winning three from six matches, and in 2019 he was pipped by Cronulla coach John Morris for the Sharks job. New Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is eager to secure Ciraldo on his support staff in 2023.
ANTHONY SEIBOLD
(Knights assistant coach)
The whispers are he will finish up at the Knights this season at the end of his 12-month contract. The 2018 Dally M coach of the year with Souths switched to the Broncos in 2019 – lasting 38 games. His Broncos exit was personally taxing, but Seibold is eager to coach in the NRL again.
KRISTIAN WOOLF
(Head coach St Helens)
Has had huge success with St Helens, leading them to the premiership in his first season last year. Also won this year’s Challenge Cup. Is ready for an NRL coaching shot having had a taste as interim coach of the Knights in 2019 after stints as an assistant at North Queensland and Brisbane. Led Tonga to a position as global giant.
JOHN MORRIS
(Former Sharks coach)
Dumped as Sharks coach earlier this year despite leading the team to back-to-back finals appearances in his first years as a coach. Has agreed to be part of South Sydney’s coaching staff next year but has openly admitted he wants another crack at a head coaching job. Ex-Tigers player who featured in 72 games for the club.
SHAUN WANE
(England head coach)
Arguably the most decorated UK Super League coach. Led Wigan to five grand finals in seven years, winning three titles as well as a Challenge Cup crown. Wane left Wigan at the end of 2018 but holds out hope of landing an NRL head coaching job. Replaced Wayne Bennett as England Test coach.
BEN HORNBY
(South Sydney assistant coach)
Quietly building an impressive coaching resume. Will work alongside new South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou next season, having joined the Rabbitohs to again work with Wayne Bennett. Expressed an interest in the Dragons role last season but was not interviewed. Long earmarked as one of the next in line.
JOSH HANNAY
(Interim Cronulla coach)
Dubbed himself the NRL’s version of a nightwatchman as he became a caretaker coach for the second time in as many years – firstly at North Queensland and now Cronulla. Has agreed to remain at the Sharks next season under new coach Craig Fitzgibbon, but if he can lead Cronulla to an unlikely finals tilt this year, that will put him in good stead to take on a permanent head coaching position.
STEVE MCNAMARA
(Catalans Dragons head coach)
Leading the Catalans, who sit on top of the SuperLeague ladder, and has also tasted Challenge Cup success since joining the French club. Wants to coach in Australia. The ex-England coach had success as an assistant coach at the Roosters and the Warriors before taking over the Catalans outfit.
DAVID FURNER
(Bulldogs assistant coach)
Experienced head coach who went close to landing the job at St George Illawarra this year. Has not had a head coaching role in Australia since leaving the Raiders at the end of 2013 but has been an assistant at North Queensland, South Sydney and Newcastle before joining the Canterbury Bulldogs this year.
TODD PAYTEN
(North Queensland coach)
What a story it would be for the Tigers faithful if they could jag a 2005 premiership winner back to the club. Payten has always wanted to coach the Tigers and he has only added to his reputation since leaving. Had success as NZ Warriors coach in difficult circumstances last season before inking a three-year deal to join the Cowboys. One to watch.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2021: The coaches waiting in the wings to secure top job
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.