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Sydney Morning Herald, 4/11/03
"Back in the staffroom, but Raper is happy to let others do the sums
November 4, 2003
Stuart Raper may have arrived in the right place, Shark Park, at the right time, writes Brad Walter.
After six years of coaching in England, Stuart Raper yesterday returned to Cronulla to oversee an off-season that is set to resemble a series of Survivor - both on and off the training paddock.
Deputising for Test coach Chris Anderson, who is away on the Kangaroo tour, Raper outlined a summer fitness program for the Sharks players that involves Ironman-type drills as well as the usual weights, speed and skills work.
Yet while the gruelling schedule was devised by Anderson, there are few who believe he will ever get to enjoy the benefits of it.
A meeting with the Cronulla hierarchy after his return from Australia's tour of Great Britain next month is expected to result in Anderson's dismissal.
Given that Raper has been touted as Anderson's replacement, it could be an uncomfortable situation for the 38-year-old, who began his coaching career in the club's lower grades.
But of all the things that Raper learnt during his stints with Castleford and Wigan, perhaps the most important was not to worry about things outside his control.
"I know it wasn't the NRL, but there's a different type of pressure over there. The crowds are more intense, the media are a bit different and there's a lot of politics - especially when you go to the top clubs," Raper said.
"I think I was the first [Super League] coach to get sacked this year, but every season I was there five or six coaches on average have been sacked. At the end of the day, I think Wigan probably did me a bit of a favour by showing me the door.
"It's all about being in the right place at the right time. I didn't have a job and then all of a sudden this opportunity came to work with Chris."
For Raper, it was also a chance to return home, but the Sharks bear little resemblance to the club he left in 1997. Of the playing roster, only prop Jason Stevens and fullback David Peachey remain, while team doctor Peter Malouf is the sole survivor among the off-field staff.
Coincidentally, it was the Sharks' desire for change that prompted officials to head-hunt Anderson 2 years ago rather than appoint Raper, who was instead lured from Castleford to Wigan to replace Frank Endacott.
Now the Cronulla board regrets its decision, but despite Anderson's unpopularity Raper supports the decisions he has made at the club.
"I can see where Chris is coming from, he has shaken them up and hopefully it is for the better," Raper said. "I know that people will try and put two and two together, but they will always get five in this situation. It's just a matter of timing and coincidence."
Given Raper's recent knowledge of the game in England, it's not surprising that he has also been advising Anderson on the strengths and weaknesses of key Lions players in the Test series, which starts this weekend.
Like many others, though, he believes Britain may be about to inflict the Kangaroos' first Ashes series loss since 1970.
"I don't know when, but I do think the time will come that Great Britain beat Australia, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was this year," Raper said.
"Australia has got a lot of key players out and I think the way Adrian Morley's season went over here will give a lot of confidence to the Great Britain players. I think the other players over there have seen him mix it with the best in Australia and they will be thinking that if he can do it, then why can't they."
Seems they are re-hashing old news that's been rumoured for months now...
"Back in the staffroom, but Raper is happy to let others do the sums
November 4, 2003
Stuart Raper may have arrived in the right place, Shark Park, at the right time, writes Brad Walter.
After six years of coaching in England, Stuart Raper yesterday returned to Cronulla to oversee an off-season that is set to resemble a series of Survivor - both on and off the training paddock.
Deputising for Test coach Chris Anderson, who is away on the Kangaroo tour, Raper outlined a summer fitness program for the Sharks players that involves Ironman-type drills as well as the usual weights, speed and skills work.
Yet while the gruelling schedule was devised by Anderson, there are few who believe he will ever get to enjoy the benefits of it.
A meeting with the Cronulla hierarchy after his return from Australia's tour of Great Britain next month is expected to result in Anderson's dismissal.
Given that Raper has been touted as Anderson's replacement, it could be an uncomfortable situation for the 38-year-old, who began his coaching career in the club's lower grades.
But of all the things that Raper learnt during his stints with Castleford and Wigan, perhaps the most important was not to worry about things outside his control.
"I know it wasn't the NRL, but there's a different type of pressure over there. The crowds are more intense, the media are a bit different and there's a lot of politics - especially when you go to the top clubs," Raper said.
"I think I was the first [Super League] coach to get sacked this year, but every season I was there five or six coaches on average have been sacked. At the end of the day, I think Wigan probably did me a bit of a favour by showing me the door.
"It's all about being in the right place at the right time. I didn't have a job and then all of a sudden this opportunity came to work with Chris."
For Raper, it was also a chance to return home, but the Sharks bear little resemblance to the club he left in 1997. Of the playing roster, only prop Jason Stevens and fullback David Peachey remain, while team doctor Peter Malouf is the sole survivor among the off-field staff.
Coincidentally, it was the Sharks' desire for change that prompted officials to head-hunt Anderson 2 years ago rather than appoint Raper, who was instead lured from Castleford to Wigan to replace Frank Endacott.
Now the Cronulla board regrets its decision, but despite Anderson's unpopularity Raper supports the decisions he has made at the club.
"I can see where Chris is coming from, he has shaken them up and hopefully it is for the better," Raper said. "I know that people will try and put two and two together, but they will always get five in this situation. It's just a matter of timing and coincidence."
Given Raper's recent knowledge of the game in England, it's not surprising that he has also been advising Anderson on the strengths and weaknesses of key Lions players in the Test series, which starts this weekend.
Like many others, though, he believes Britain may be about to inflict the Kangaroos' first Ashes series loss since 1970.
"I don't know when, but I do think the time will come that Great Britain beat Australia, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was this year," Raper said.
"Australia has got a lot of key players out and I think the way Adrian Morley's season went over here will give a lot of confidence to the Great Britain players. I think the other players over there have seen him mix it with the best in Australia and they will be thinking that if he can do it, then why can't they."
Seems they are re-hashing old news that's been rumoured for months now...
