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Bailey's talks with Sharks are off until coaching job is resolved
By Brad Walter
November 28, 2003
Kangaroos utility Phil Bailey has put contract negotiations with Cronulla on hold until the future of coach Chris Anderson is resolved.
Anderson, who arrived home from England with the Australian team on Wednesday, spent much of yesterday with his agent George Mimis and legal representatives to prepare for an appearance before the Sharks board on Monday night.
The Test coach has been summoned to respond to a third breach notice issued just before the Kangaroos' departure for New Zealand on the first leg of their six-week tour, and there is little doubt Cronulla directors plan to sack him.
But Bailey has a get-out clause in his contract if Anderson is no longer coach, and Mimis - who also represents the Test and Origin representative - said talks aimed at upgrading and extending his deal beyond next season would be suspended while there were doubts over the coach.
"It is tied to the coaching issue," Mimis said. "Phil Bailey has a clause in his contract he can activate if Chris is not the coach so I think it's understandable that he wants to wait and see how things eventuate."
Should the board decide to terminate the remaining 12 months of Anderson's contract, which contains a clause entitling him to an automatic two-year extension should the Sharks make the top eight next season, former Wigan coach Stuart Raper is expected to take over.
Raper was recently recruited by Anderson in an assistant coach role and has been overseeing off-season training on his behalf.
With Raper already on the club's payroll, his appointment would save the Sharks money as they are likely to have to offer Anderson a payout on his $400,000 per year contract to avoid a protracted legal battle.
Bulldogs president George Peponis, meanwhile, last night ruled out Anderson joining his brothers-in-law Steve Folkes and Kevin Moore on the club's coaching staff next season.
In other news, former Test captain Laurie Daley, a NSW selector and assistant to coach Phil Gould, is tipped to take over the Country Origin job next season after Parramatta's Brian Smith yesterday announced he would not seek re-appointment in order to concentrate on the Eels.
St George Illawarra prop Jason Ryles is confident of being fit for the opening premiership round in mid-March, despite being told he requires a second shoulder operation. Ryles, who underwent a reconstruction on his left shoulder after being injured during State of Origin, said the surgery was to repair nerve damage.
In Auckland, Warriors players are being tested for pulmonary tuberculosis after hooker Tavita Latu was hospitalised with the infectious condition following chest X-rays at pre-season training to ensure that he had recovered from the bout of pneumonia that ended his finals campaign.
And the Rugby Football League has announced that Widnes will represent England at the World Sevens tournament in Sydney on January 24 and 25.
By Brad Walter
November 28, 2003
Kangaroos utility Phil Bailey has put contract negotiations with Cronulla on hold until the future of coach Chris Anderson is resolved.
Anderson, who arrived home from England with the Australian team on Wednesday, spent much of yesterday with his agent George Mimis and legal representatives to prepare for an appearance before the Sharks board on Monday night.
The Test coach has been summoned to respond to a third breach notice issued just before the Kangaroos' departure for New Zealand on the first leg of their six-week tour, and there is little doubt Cronulla directors plan to sack him.
But Bailey has a get-out clause in his contract if Anderson is no longer coach, and Mimis - who also represents the Test and Origin representative - said talks aimed at upgrading and extending his deal beyond next season would be suspended while there were doubts over the coach.
"It is tied to the coaching issue," Mimis said. "Phil Bailey has a clause in his contract he can activate if Chris is not the coach so I think it's understandable that he wants to wait and see how things eventuate."
Should the board decide to terminate the remaining 12 months of Anderson's contract, which contains a clause entitling him to an automatic two-year extension should the Sharks make the top eight next season, former Wigan coach Stuart Raper is expected to take over.
Raper was recently recruited by Anderson in an assistant coach role and has been overseeing off-season training on his behalf.
With Raper already on the club's payroll, his appointment would save the Sharks money as they are likely to have to offer Anderson a payout on his $400,000 per year contract to avoid a protracted legal battle.
Bulldogs president George Peponis, meanwhile, last night ruled out Anderson joining his brothers-in-law Steve Folkes and Kevin Moore on the club's coaching staff next season.
In other news, former Test captain Laurie Daley, a NSW selector and assistant to coach Phil Gould, is tipped to take over the Country Origin job next season after Parramatta's Brian Smith yesterday announced he would not seek re-appointment in order to concentrate on the Eels.
St George Illawarra prop Jason Ryles is confident of being fit for the opening premiership round in mid-March, despite being told he requires a second shoulder operation. Ryles, who underwent a reconstruction on his left shoulder after being injured during State of Origin, said the surgery was to repair nerve damage.
In Auckland, Warriors players are being tested for pulmonary tuberculosis after hooker Tavita Latu was hospitalised with the infectious condition following chest X-rays at pre-season training to ensure that he had recovered from the bout of pneumonia that ended his finals campaign.
And the Rugby Football League has announced that Widnes will represent England at the World Sevens tournament in Sydney on January 24 and 25.
