Perhaps I should've elaborated.
I don't think we've got a lot of hope of getting someone like Bennett over here to do the job, so my thought was that we pick a promising younger coach, get him the best support, education (perhaps through the Australian coaching system, somehow) and guidence from both European and Australian sources like the aformentioned Bennett. I'm suggesting a series of moves to create a british coach capable of setting up and coaching an international team with the tactics and know how to compete consistantly. It would take a few years, perhaps, but is it not worth a try?

We don't seem to produce the coaches in england at the moment and all the Aussies who work here are generally considered 2nd rate in NRL terms. It will take us a long time to overhall the entire coaching education system, so why don't we (in the mean time) stick a few eggs in a basket and try and get one coach who actually knows his onions.

The reason I suggested a player of Joynt's calibre was because if a young, reletively inexperienced coach was to be given a high up role, it would help if he was already a respected figure within the game. I'm not advocating picking someone [ijust[/i on their playing ability.

Or we can just toss a coin between Kear and McBanana


I'm not sure if this is the winning strategy, but at least its a stragegy.

Bennett and Edwards leading this poll to be next England coach, but wouldn't they make a dream ticket together ? See too that McNamara has "nil points"! timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... coach.html

Bennett and Edwards leading this poll to be next England coach, but wouldn't they make a dream ticket together ? See too that McNamara has "nil points"! timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... coach.html

I do wish people would be realistic about it.

And anyway, what does Edwards know about modern rugby league?

Shaun Edwards

lol, so far 0 per cent of the vote has gone for McNamara

He's forgotten more than most here know...

Mind there is little chance of either taking up the job.

Probably far more than any of us put together! I've played the game up until very recentyly for a long time and followed the game all my life, as, I'm sure plenty of others on here have too. Unfortunately I don't have the the talents, skills and knowledge Edwards has otherwise I'd be an ideal appointment. I agree its very very doubtful we'd be able to tempe Edwards away from what he's doing now but to question his knowledge is just plain ridiculous. Is it because he's a Wiganer by any chance?

on the subject of an untried ex player as coach.
i remember reading chris joynts book.in one chapter he recalls playing for gb at wembley against the aussies.ellery hanley was coach and asked him to play prop.i am not sure if it was his debut,but it was one his earliest international matches.he says he had never played prop before,but the belief that hanley instilled in him made him believe he was the best prop in the world.
young players look up to great players.players nowadays are well enough coached at club level,so perhaps they dont need extra coaching at internationals.mal meninga at queensland being a prime example along with klinsmann and the german football team.had kearney done much coaching before the nz job?
give the job to andy farrell or radlinski,and thats from a saints fan!

or appoint bennett as RFL technical director and bring over here so he can hold 'coaching master classes' for many young british coaches...instead of just the one

He hasn't been involved in league for years and would be a far worse appointment than someone who has been involved in top level coaching in recent years. The game has changed so much since he moved on it's untrue.

I'd rather Wigan's current coach took the job than him.

The whole Shaun Edwards myth is basically centred on him not having been involved in recent England/GB failures.

I dont think wayne bennett would take any position over here if it got offered.

Firstly he is one year into the St George job,which he said is a prized job in aus,given their history.

Secondly,is a private, family man..2 of his children are disabled, so their needs would have to be taken into consideration before moving over here.

This point is made on the boards whenever Bennetts been linked to a job over here.

Well at least he is now beating Tim Sheens

Mike Ford anyone? www.teletext.co.uk/rugbyleague/n ... d+job.aspx

Mike Ford anyone? www.teletext.co.uk/rugbyleague/n ... d+job.aspx

Quote ="Eastbourne Warrior"Mike Ford anyone? www.teletext.co.uk/rugbyleague/n ... d+job.aspx'" [iThe[/i former Bramley coach?

Quote ="Eastbourne Warrior"Mike Ford anyone? www.teletext.co.uk/rugbyleague/n ... d+job.aspx'" [iThe[/i former Bramley coach?

I remember the 85 cup final when he played for wigan. I think he was player coach at Oldham then i think he went to Ireland RU as defensive coach. Don't remember Bramley but i may be wrong.

Quote ="Eastbourne Warrior"Mike Ford anyone? www.teletext.co.uk/rugbyleague/n ... d+job.aspx'" This Mike Ford thing seemed not to have any legs, but the Beeb are reporting it today: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8374328.stm - although they're clearly saying it's unlikely. ...but with his head being on the chopper for many in Onion looking for a scapegoat, it could be that its not up to him whether he goes to the RUWC and a return to RL could be a goer. I certainly can't see anybody wanting this guy back (I don't!) - with the greatest of respect for what he did during his playing days. Ford himself makes one or two valid points in this article though; 'How many games are they going to play this year and the year after?,' and 'is there enough work for somebody full-time?' Both questions any coach worth his salt is going to ask. Problem is, have the RFL got the answers - and if not, how many top level coaches will that rule out? Sadly, IMO when the only names so far quizzed about the role (aside from Kear - who I'd have in a shot) are Steve Mac & Mike bloody Ford, its a sad indictment of the coaching situation in the UK.

Quote ="Eastbourne Warrior"Mike Ford anyone? www.teletext.co.uk/rugbyleague/n ... d+job.aspx'" This Mike Ford thing seemed not to have any legs, but the Beeb are reporting it today: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8374328.stm - although they're clearly saying it's unlikely. ...but with his head being on the chopper for many in Onion looking for a scapegoat, it could be that its not up to him whether he goes to the RUWC and a return to RL could be a goer. I certainly can't see anybody wanting this guy back (I don't!) - with the greatest of respect for what he did during his playing days. Ford himself makes one or two valid points in this article though; 'How many games are they going to play this year and the year after?,' and 'is there enough work for somebody full-time?' Both questions any coach worth his salt is going to ask. Problem is, have the RFL got the answers - and if not, how many top level coaches will that rule out? Sadly, IMO when the only names so far quizzed about the role (aside from Kear - who I'd have in a shot) are Steve Mac & Mike bloody Ford, its a sad indictment of the coaching situation in the UK.

The same Mike Ford who, along with his son, didn't go to union for the money


How do you know those are the only people being considered?

Eh?


I didn't say anything about being considered. I said "the only names so far quizzed about the role". I meant quizzed by the media - probably should've been clearer. The RFL are keeping schtum.

Basically, all I'm saying is that if the likes of Mike Ford are really in the mix (and we don't know that he is) - and you're only other obvious options seem to be McNamara and Kear - it's not really a healthy state of affairs. Kear is the only man for the job IMO - unless there's another British coach you can think of that's of the dizzyingly average standard of McNamara and the current England RU assistant? Point being, it's a pi$$ poor shortlist.

Exactly.


I'd previously thought this wouldn't work over here because its a system that can bring with it a whole load of extra politics. But you might be onto something there. Tim Sheens is part-time and a panel of selectors pick the squad. Still, if the RFL had to appoint a full time British coach tomorrow with the credentials you'd expect of someone tasked with the gargantuan job of turning round English RL, we'd be scratching around a bit. Especially now that Kear's all but ruled himself out too - [urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8374591.stm[/url

A Part time coach and an unbiased selection panel would be my choice given the relatively low number of games the National side will play.

Who would we have on the selection panel is as big a question as who would be coach.

Mal Reilly springs to mind, Paul Sculthorpe, Ellery Hanley, Kris Radlinski.

Certainly not Garry Schoffield.

Irony. He has said repeatedly that neither he nor his son went to union for the money despite swiss cheese like holes in his explanations.



The media in the country are lazy at best when it comes to rugby league so I wouldn't make too much of this supposed short list.

perhaps Bobby Goulding?

If the role is basically England coach for 5 games a year and some poorly defined role in 'development' then Hanley, Kear or whoever - doesn't really matter. If it's a real role in development with actual clout then the work that won't get seen for years is far more important than what anyone can realistically achieve with the current squad.