New coach Nathan Brown identifies Warriors’ transfer targets
Nathan Brown is the new head coach of the Warriors and he has wasted no time identifying the players he wants to bring to the club including a big name UK signing and a controversial Australian one.
NRL
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One of the most exciting centres in England is the lead target for Nathan Brown’s revival of the Warriors.
And Parramatta prop Kane Evans will also headline Brown’s hit-list of players after the 47-year-old was named as the Warriors coach for the next three years.
In a bid to add more potency to the Warriors pack, Evans is poised to sign a two-year deal to play under Brown from next season, while out wide, it’s Wigan star Oliver Gildart, who the new Warriors coach wants to welcome to the NRL.
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Maintaining an acute understanding of the hottest prospects in the English Super League having spent six-years with Huddersfield and St Helens, Brown has a high opinion of Gildart, 24, and believes he’s NRL-ready.
The Wigan centre is under contract until the end of 2021, but has a release clause allowing him to leave if a transfer fee is paid.
Gildart has made no secret of his desire to play in the NRL one day.
In May he appointed Australian-based agent Sam Ayoub.
He said at the time: “The NRL is definitely something I want to do at some stage and if anything comes about I’d look at it.”
The Warriors are also in negotiations with Dragons centre Euan Aitken, Bulldogs forward Adam Elliott and Dragons forward Jack de Belin.
Brown made it clear Saturday that De Belin would help transform the Warriors.
But with salary cap space to sign only one of the two, the Warriors risk losing Elliott, if they decide to wait for an outcome in De Belin’s drawn-out court case.
Eliott wants to make a decision on his career this week.
“The club is talking to Jack de Belin,’’ Brown confirmed.
“He’d be an outstanding signing for the club. A player of that type would be outstanding.
“Some big decisions need to be made and plans put in place. In the short-term I’ll be doing stuff behind the scenes.
“My actual role doesn’t start until November 1.
“There are very limited (NRL coaching) jobs, so to be given the opportunity, we are grateful.
“The Warriors have gone through a leaner period of late. Hopefully myself, Sully (Peter O’Sullivan) can put the club in a strong position to be a consistent team.’’
Brown was all smiles at the prospect of reigniting his NRL coaching career, 12 months after departing the Newcastle Knights.
Phil Gould will also join the Warriors in a consultancy role, focused on elite junior pathways and player development.
Interestingly, Brown claimed the job of lifting the Warriors from perennial underachievers into finals contenders was less daunting than what he faced when he first arrived at Newcastle.
“It’s a far better situation to start with,’’ Brown said.
“You can start (by looking at) the performances on the field of late and a number of (quality) players in their (Warriors) squad.
“People have been working hard behind the scenes to get the right pieces of the puzzle … it’s a far better situation than the Knights but we need to improve the roster. ‘’
As for working with Gould, Brown said they both understood what they needed to do to achieve success.
“Gus’ is a very different role,’’ Brown said.
“I’ll be doing the day-to-day running of the club, from a team point of view.
“Gus is there not only to help the businesses grow, but focus on junior development pathways and the set-up of our academy.
“I’ve had a longstanding relationship with Gus, I worked with him at Origin.
“I know Gus will bring plenty to the business.’’
Brown sported a Warriors cap for his unveiling in what will be his third NRL club. He worked with the Warriors in the pre-season.
“I’m a career coach,” Brown said.
“I just love coaching and this job with the Warriors is a fantastic opportunity.
“I spent time in Auckland during the pre-season and was really impressed with the whole set-up, the players and the staff throughout the organisation.
“The Warriors are hugely important to the competition. We’ve seen that this year with the sacrifices they’ve made to keep the NRL going. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
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Gould will work with the club on commercial and football opportunities as well as reviewing structures and pathways in the game. His brief will set about improving the overall game in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Gould said he was excited to take on the role.
“There’s no question this is an exciting challenge,” Gould said.
“The owners Mark (Robinson) and Rob (Croot) and Cameron (George) have a real passion for rugby league and they’re highly motivated to build the Warriors into a powerful club over the coming years.”
Originally published as New coach Nathan Brown identifies Warriors’ transfer targets