Sport Confidential: NRL’s coaching carousel, Damien Cook’s almighty payday, Roos’ virtual reality
FIVE NRL clubs could have different head coaches by round one next year, Kangaroos turn to virtual reality, Adrian Lam’s Super promotion and Damien Cook’s almighty payday.
AS many as five NRL clubs could have different head coaches by round one next year in a staggering acceleration of the coaching carousel.
The first change will most likely be Manly’s appointment of Des Hasler in place of Trent Barrett which, as we all know, is expected soon.
But it’s Brisbane’s negotiations with South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold where it gets fascinating.
With Ivan Cleary and Wayne Bennett in holding patterns, Seibold seems like the catalyst for it to all happen very quickly.
Seibold has been Brisbane’s first choice to replace Bennett in 2020 since midway through the season and talks have heated up this month, with the conversation drifting towards the possibility of Seibold joining the Broncos for 2019.
Bennett has continuously stated he is going nowhere next season but he is keeping a close eye on negotiations. And Bennett would not be Bennett without a back-up plan. There is believed to be a deal ready to join the Tigers next season should the Broncos land Seibold.
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It would take a delicate negotiation on the Broncos’ part but it is not impossible.
It would allow the Tigers to release Cleary to Penrith for next year, his preferred choice, give Bennett a multi-year deal to continue coaching and land the Broncos the man they believe is the next big coach to return the Broncos to the top.
The only club without a coach would be the Rabbitohs who, like the Tigers, have little appetite to retain a coach next season if he is already committed elsewhere in the future.
If they decide to let Seibold go early the Rabbitohs are said to be quietly interested in another former Melbourne assistant — after Michael Maguire and Seibold — in new Roosters assistant Adam O’Brien.
FUTURISTIC ROOS LOOK FOR EDGE
THE Australian side have turned to virtual reality for the first time as part of their preparations with Tonga.
Players were put through a short drill at their recovery session this week as Kangaroos elite performance manager Troy Thomson explores ways to incorporate virtual reality permanently into Australian camps.
“We have been looking at virtual reality for the past 12 months and different ways to utilise it eventually as a performance tool to eventually stimulate neural systems and eventually replace some of the training sessions with a virtual reality sessions,” Thomson said. “It’s very difficult in such a short campaign to overload players with too much.
“We decided to keep it simple. (Australian-based company 7DX) developed a simple decision making program where the boys have to catch a ball and make a decision on a player to pass it to. Whether that’s a lead runner or a runner outside the back. They are scored on the accuracy of the pass.
“There is a decision making and accuracy elements in the program. The realistic nature of the program was mind-blowing.
“It’s something I think will be a big part of sport and training.”
Thomson said he could see virtual reality being incorporated for players who are returning from a serious injury and are restricted what they can do on their feet. It will also take a training load off players.
The Kangaroos are also considering using virtual reality as part of their initiation for new players where they could watch elements of coach Mal Meninga’s RISE (respect, inspire, selfless and excellence) values and what it means to be an Australian representative.
Among the highest scorers for the Kangaroos were Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt, Boyd Cordner, Latrell Mitchell and Dane Gagai.
WHY EELS POWER PLAY COULD BACKFIRE
PARRAMATTA’S decision to walk away from negotiations with Western Sydney Stadium operators Venues Live is being seen around the game for what it is — a pre-emptive strike to put pressure on the negotiations.
Everybody knows the Eels will be playing there next season but, unless the Eels flexed their muscle now, the balance of power would tip towards the stadium operators the nearer it got to cutting the ribbon.
The poor headlines and fractured relationship with fans, though, begs the question at what cost?
The NRL is disappointed with how Parramatta has handled it.
The move rightfully angered Eels members who have already been asked to pay more for their memberships on account of moving into the new stadium, only to see their club walk away.
It has also caused some to question Parramatta’s ability to capitalise on the commercial possibilities of the new stadium — something Wests Tigers are right across after they negotiated to play four games there next season.
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That it comes so soon after the Parramatta internal review found so many problems at the club is not a good look.
The other problem for the Eels now is that, with each week we get closer to the stadium opening, their bargaining power diminishes.
LAM’S SUPER JOB PROMOTION
ADRIAN Lam will be given his first crack at a head coaching role by taking charge of English Super League premiers Wigan.
The Kangaroos assistant coach will link up with his former club next month on a 12-month deal. The unique contract will enable Shaun Edwards to resume control of the club in 2020.|
“It’s unbelievable,” Lam said. “I didn’t want to go over for more than a year. Regardless of what happens, at the end of 2019 I’m coming home at the moment.
“I don’t I want to be a long-term head coach. Things can change. I enjoy working with the younger kids. That’s where my heart is. This will give me a good feel if it’s something I want to pursue.
“I took this opportunity because it’s a club I’ve been at before. I’m going there with the confidence.
“I’m nervous thinking about it but I’m excited.”
Lam’s family will remain in Australia as son’s Lachlan and Bailey continue their promising careers with the Roosters. Lam had almost made the switch as a Super League head coach in 2012.
“I’d been offered in Super League which I accepted,” Lam said. “I did a Skype interview with the board and got the job. My wife came, she sat down and said ‘it’s still about you isn’t it’?. My kids were 14 and 10. That hit home and I said what am I doing? I knocked it back. I wanted to be here in for their growing up and help them in their young lives.”
CAN SOUTHS COOK UP DEAL FOR DAMIEN?
AUSTRALIAN hooker Damien Cook is off-contract from next Thursday. And the 27-year-old will earn the biggest pay deal of his career.
Cook is eyeing off a long-term contract worth $800,000 a year and has made it clear he wants to stay at South Sydney.
His management want the club to upgrade his current deal – which he signed while a bench player – and offer him another contract of about four seasons.
“I still have next year to go with Souths,” Cook said. “I really enjoy it there. It’s part of the business. I do come off-contract. It’s a bit different. Last time I did a contract I wasn’t sure where I was going to be. I’ve told my manager to look after that especially while I’m (in camp with the Australian squad).
“It is different this time around. I’ve openly said to Souths, I’d love to be there long-term.
“I’m 27. You never know how many more deals you’ll get. You have to make the most of it when you can.”
Cook has had little time to reflect on his remarkable season. But he pin-pointed two key moments in his career which has helped shape him.
“It’s been a good journey and certain parts have been really important,” Cook said. “Coming out of 20s and coming back to Illawarra. They just put a NSW Cup side in then. I was lucky Illawarra put a team on the park to allow me to continue my journey. It was my stepping stone. I wasn’t flying out of 20s. l kept developing as a player. Very grateful to have the Cutters come back into it and use them as a stepping stone.
“The next one was getting the No.9 jersey for round one this year. It wasn’t a big reveal (by coach Anthony Siebold). I knew I’d had a big pre-season. He told me I’d have first crack. Once I had it I just had to keep playing well. Seibs puts a lot of trust and loyalty to his players. if I kept playing well I knew I’d be able to keep my jersey.”
KEARY LOVES DOWN TO EARTH CHOOKS
LUKE Keary came from a side with a Hollywood owner and expected a similar ilk of people to surround the Roosters when he joined them.
“It’s hard to explain if you haven’t experienced what the club was about,” Keary said of the Roosters.
“I was thinking it would be a glitz and glamorous club with the best facilities and all these high-profile people surrounding the team. but it’s the complete opposite. We have this little building at the back of Moore Park with a tiny little gym. We have small lockers, it’s just the people (which make it successful). They just invest in people they have around the team. When I first walked in and saw the office staff with the players I didn’t know what was going on.”
One thing Keary was not concerned about was working alongside Cooper Cronk despite hearing stories about Cronk’s unique characteristics.
“I wasn’t worried about clicking,” Keary said. “He is an older bloke and you hear stories but he is not what people say. Maybe he used to be like that.
“He is just one of the boys. He is 34 but you’d swear he is 20.
“I thought he would be doing meditation or yoga every second of the day but he is one of the boys.”
AROUND THE GROUNDS
WHICH NRL player – not involved in the Test matches – was up to no good in Auckland last week?
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WHICH NRL CEO was in Auckland for a hit-and-run visit to try and get a deal done?
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NRL veteran Mick Potter has joined the Tongan coaching staff as an assistant to Kristian Woolf, who has taken his job at Newcastle.
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KANGAROOS players were given something to wear around their necks at the traditional Maori welcoming this week. Only one problem – it barley fit around the head of Australian prop David Klemmer, who managed to squeeze in on after multiple attempts.
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AUSTRALIAN players have been given a rare treat this tour – their own room. A host of the players’ partners have been in and around the camp the past two weeks.
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AN usual screeching noise blares from the speakers at Mt Smart Stadium when teams train as a way to keep birds away.
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QUOTE of the night at the eighth annual Women’s Health Women in Sport Awards on Wednesday went to Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell.
On stage at the Hordern Pavilion to accept her Comeback of the Year Award, Campbell quipped: “All I had to do was get back in the pool. Laura Geitz pushed out a baby,” Campbell said.
The Women in Sport Awards will be shown on Channel 7 on Sunday, October 28 at 1pm.
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Originally published as Sport Confidential: NRL’s coaching carousel, Damien Cook’s almighty payday, Roos’ virtual reality
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