Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has lauded Parramatta’s appointment of Jason Ryles, declaring the rookie mentor has “all the attributes of a successful coach”.
Ryles pipped Josh Hannay, Dean Young and Trent Barrett for the post, signing a four-year deal to take over as the long-term replacement for Brad Arthur. The Storm assistant has previously worked alongside Jones during stints with England and Australian rugby to broaden his skills and knowledge.
Jones said he was impressed with Ryles’ willingness to learn and believes he will be successful at the blue and golds.
“I’ve got no doubt he’s ready,” Jones told this masthead from Japan. “He’s done his time as an assistant coach. He’s always been diligent and been quite adventurous. For an out-and-out league player to be involved in rugby, it’s not an easy task.
“They both have the same principles of play in getting the ball forward, but the intricacies of it are completely different. When he came over and helped with England, he was a bit of a character who knows his stuff really well.
“He develops good rapport with the players and is good with the coaches. He’s got all the attributes of a successful coach. He’s done a lot of time with [Storm coach] Craig [Bellamy], he couldn’t be better prepared.”
Jason Ryles during his days with Eddie Jones at England rugby.Credit: Getty
Jones has long held an interest in rugby league and regularly employed NRL figures as part of his staff. He couldn’t have been more impressed with Ryles.
“He’s been really purposeful in developing his coaching career,” Jones said. “When he was with the Storm, I remember we got him to come over a couple of times in November.
“He was always really engaged in the coaching process. Some guys want to coach and other guys want to be a coach; he wants to be a coach, it wasn’t just a job for him. By getting the Parramatta job, it’s a reflection of how much work he’s done.”
Jones has kept in touch with Ryles as the former NSW and Australian prop considered the Dragons and Eels jobs.
“He obviously thinks it is [a good fit], which probably makes it right,” he said. “I remember speaking to him after St George [Illawarra] and, without going through all the details, he was very intelligent about how he made the decision.
“Parramatta has obviously got the right ingredients, it’s going to be a bit of a different mix, and he understands that and will get the mix right for them.”
Jones believes Ryles has both the tactical acumen and man-management skills to lead a Parramatta resurgence.
“He’s always been really good with the players, I’d describe him as a players’ coach,” Jones said. “He engages the players, he spends time with them and Rylesy was a bit of a larrikin. But he always knew how to draw the line between being a coach and too close to the players.
Jones said Ryles’ communication skills were one of his greatest strengths.
”He has enough technical nous, but doesn’t overcomplicate things. One of the main jobs as a coach is to be a simplifier, not a complicator,” Jones said. ”I think he’s had enough experience to know what is important.
Just so that he has got a bit of counsel there. Parramatta is one of those clubs where they expect you to win. If you’re not winning there’s a fair bit of pressure there.”
Where to next for ‘disappointed’ Barrett?
Trent Barrett was “disappointed” to be overlooked for Parramatta’s top job and was unsure if he would remain at the Eels next year working with Jason Ryles, but could think of four good reasons why he still aspired to be an NRL head coach.
Parramatta interim coach Trent Barrett missed out on getting the permanent role.Credit: NRL Imagery
Barrett was thrust into an interim role after the Eels sacked Brad Arthur following Magic Round, and had the support of senior Eels players Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses when he interviewed for the job.
The 46-year-old said being in the caretaker role reminded him of how passionate he was about coaching – and especially the joy he got from handing out debuts.
Lorenzo Mulitalo, Cronulla flyer Ronaldo Mulitalo’s twin brother, will become the fourth Eels’ debutant in three weeks when they play against the Gold Coast on Saturday. Barrett also started first-timers Jake Tago and Charlie Guymer last weekend, and Matt Arthur, the son of Brad Arthur, the week before that.
“It’s all I’ve ever done – football is what we know,” Barrett said on Thursday, when asked why he still wanted to be a head coach.
“To give another kid a debut this week in Lorenzo, that makes coaching really worthwhile. When you can do that, and have an effect on people’s lives that way – last week it was Charlie Guymer and Jake Tago, and before that Matt Arthur – they are the things that always bring you back to coaching, and why you fall in love with it.
“It was trying circumstances when I did take over, results haven’t gone the way we’ve wanted them to, but it’s a terrific job. I certainly never take this position I’m in for granted. Football has been great to me. It’s been my whole life.
“Obviously, I was disappointed [to miss out on the top job], but that’s the game we’re in. I’ve been in it a long time. I think it’s exciting for Jason. He’s worked really hard, and it’s a good opportunity, and it’s a great club.”
Barrett, who played with Ryles at St George Illawarra, said he had spoken with the former front-rower, but was yet to address the chance of staying on as an assistant.
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