Corey Parker calls on NRL legends to coach Jillaroos amid uncertainty over Brad Donald’s future

Amid uncertainty over the future of Jillaroos head coach Brad Donald, Corey Parker has nominated a number of NRL legends he believes could take the women’s game to a new level in the role.

Kangaroos legend Corey Parker says the appointment of Andrew Johns or Michael Ennis as Jillaroos coach would take the women’s game to a new level, amid increasing uncertainty over the future of current coach Brad Donald.

Reports have emerged that after nine years in the role, Donald’s days are numbered.

The speculation has only intensified following the unorthodox decision to cancel a recently scheduled Jillaroos camp at the last-minute despite there being less than a month until the Australian’s women’s team play a Test match against England in Las Vegas.

Parker, who played 13 tests for Australia across his decorated rugby league career, believes a high profile former star would be the ideal replacement should Donald get the axe.

Speaking on SENQ 693am on Wednesday morning, Parker said the likes of ex-representative legends including Danny Buderus, Brad Fittler, Johns or Ennis would bring coaching expertise, experience and much-needed profile to the international champions.

“The head coaching role appears a little uncertain after the NRL cancelled that camp that was scheduled to go ahead on the Gold Coast ahead of their trip to Vegas in the 11th hour,” Parker said.

There is increasing uncertainty over the future of Jillaroos coach Brad Donald. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Brad Donald, who is the coach at the moment, appears he could be under enormous amounts of pressure of losing his job, which has left the NRL itself three weeks to get somebody to take charge.

“There’s a World Cup in 2026 next year, the question is, if that is to be the case (and Donald loses his job) … do they look for a stop gap, somebody to take over and take them to Vegas, or do they throw the job opportunity out there, for someone like a Danny Buderus, Michael Ennis or Joey Johns, Brad Fittler, somebody who has a brand already out there to bring light to the women’s game.”

The Jillaroos are fast-approaching their Las Vegas fixture. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty Images

Pressure on Donald’s job follows a rocky few months that began following the NRLW grand final with his decision to snub Dally M Medal winner and Roosters premiership winner Olivia Kernick from the Pacific Championships squad.

The call dumbfounded fans and commentators across the women’s game, leading the ARL Commission to ask questions as to why Kernick was overlooked.

The shock omission of Olivia Kernick from the Jillaroos squad has heads scratching. Picture: Izhar Khan / AFP

The last-minute cancellation of the Jillaroos camp on the Gold Coast came with no explanation to the players, sounding off alarm bells that Donald’s job may be in jeopardy.

Parker was involved with the Broncos as an assistant NRLW coach to Scott Prince last season.

When asked if he would be interested in the job he said “there’s enough happening in C Parker’s life”, but believes a noted former NRL star could have a huge impact on the women’s game.

“I’ve worked first hand with the Broncos girls, and they’ve certainly gone from strength to strength, there’s more teams coming into the competition, their comp is desperately crying out,” he said.

“Whoever wants to coach the national side, the Jillaroos, I think we have the opportunity for someone with a great notoriety to coach this team. It’s not going to be a full-time job, because they only have X amount of tests per year.

“If there was a Brad Fittler, if there was a Michael Ennis, throw anyone out there, if there was a figurehead who could really put some eyeballs on that, I think it would certainly benefit the women.”

Originally published as Corey Parker calls on NRL legends to coach Jillaroos amid uncertainty over Brad Donald’s future