We read a lot of people discussing the world's best rugby league coach.

Who, in your opinion, was the worst ever?

The criterion should be that he lowered the performance of a team as compared to their capabilities and compared to their previous performances (before that coach was appointed) or subsequent performances (after that coach departed).

My choice is a dead heat between:


[iKevin Walters [/i(Catalans Dragons)

and

[iRob Powell [/i(Harlequins/London Broncos)

At my club, Shaun McRae. Without a doubt.

Ross Strudwick at Halifax.

Ian Millward.

That can't be right.

He won lots of silverware at St Helens, and was there on the job when the ball went "Wide to West."

he's referring to his tenure at wigan, who were bottom of the league when he was sacked

Richard Agar in his tenure at Hull...well out of his depth, clueless tactics and a yes man on the face of it..

David Plange/Steve Anderson

Yet at Wakefield he is only three league points behind Hull, with a game in hand. That is with far more limited resources and without spending the salary cap!

And his very much sought after replacement is setting the world on fire


You should have stuck with John Kear and not had too many ideas above your station.

To add to the Millward criteria, his contribution at Cas too. That Saints team was full of class. His efforts at Wigan, North Queensland & Cas pain a very different picture of "Basil". Just like Paul Cullen, talks a fine game, but thats about it.

Ahh. Always wondered what Cullen was talking about.

You know what I mean, plenty of shpeal, chitter chatter, but not much when push comes to shove.

Kevin Walters took a team that finished 3rd to bottom of the league within two seasons and debuted a grand total of two young players in that time, one of whom made a solitary appearance and has not featured since. Once Walters left, the club were back in the top 4 within two seasons. Surely the worst ever.

Steadman - took a top 5/6 cas team annually to NL1. Club still not over what he did IMHO

We've had a few at Leigh, Jim Crellin & Ian Lucas are 2 that spring immediately to mind

Are there [iany[/i Wakey fans who don't have chips on both shoulders?

That was a rhetorical question BTW.

Are there [iany[/i FC fans who aren't judgmental???

What or who have I judged?

You judged all Wakey fans to have a chip on their shoulder from one poster.

I gather you have met all Wakey fans?
That was a rhetorical question BTW.

Actually I didn't. I based it on the combined output of the Wakey forum members on RLFans. Although I agree that's not the same as all Wakey fans, so I'll rephrase...

Are there any Wakey fans who post on here that don't have a chip on both shoulders?

Me.

In light of the question asked Agar fits that description more than adequately, took a half decent side that had finished 5th the season before and on the back of the previous coach effectively got us to Wembley in 2008 before his tactical nous dragged us down.
that 2008 season ended us being 2nd from bottom, 2009, 3rd from bottom though we got into the play-offs in 2010 & 11 we didn't win a play-off game, we also won 2 cc games in 3 years (which were against championship sides)
Our performances compared to our potential was rank and that's being polite, Agar made no attempt at bringing through the youth which gentle has improved upon in leaps & bounds..
I rest my case

Rob Powell to be fair took over McDermotts poor squad and didnt improve it. With Mac at least it was 5 drives and a kick, then balls the defence up, with Powell it was throw it wide until you have no one to pass to, which was usually 2 passes later and then balls the defence up!

With Tony Rea its play for 40 then balls the defence up followed by some scientific rhetoric on why it was ballsed up!