http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24794650-5016947,00.html
John Cartwright reveals national coaching ambitions
December 14, 2008
GOLD COAST coach John Cartwright has declared his interest in coaching Australia if the Australian Rugby League believes he is the best man for the job.
With Queensland coach Mal Meninga likely to be denied the post by ARL policy, Cartwright is a frontline contender after his contribution to Australia's World Cup campaign.
An assistant to former coach Ricky Stuart, who resigned last Monday, Cartwright is popular with Kangaroos players and impressed ARL powerbrokers during the tournament.
While committed to guiding the Titans to a maiden finals series in 2009, Cartwright said he would find it difficult to reject the Test job if offered the post by the ARL.
"If the ARL asked me to do it, it's something I don't think I could knock back," he said.
"It's the top job in the profession I'm in.
"It would be a huge honour, but it's something I'm not entertaining a great deal because I have a bit to prove.
"I don't know if it's a job you can put your hand up for.
"I guess they (ARL) have to approach you.
"At this stage, I haven't spoken to anyone at the ARL.
"The Test job normally goes to the best credentialled guys available, so I don't know where I fit in there."
With only two seasons under his belt, Cartwright is one of the most inexperienced coaches in the NRL, but he was Stuart's right-hand man when the Sydney Roosters won the 2002 premiership and the World Cup experience would enhance his claims.
Meninga was a raging favourite to succeed Stuart but under ARL rules he must relinquish his Origin post to be eligible, a scenario the Maroons coach has ruled out.
Cartwright is adamant he could cope with the dual demands of NRL and representative coaching.
"The Origin job would be hard to juggle because it's mid-season.
"I think the Kangaroos could be simpler because it's out of season," he said.
"Your off-season at club level is about strength and power and improving players as athletes, which is what your conditioning people look after.
"You don't miss a hell of a lot being away for a portion of the off-season, but mid-season it would be hard for me to be away for State of Origin."
Gold Coast boss Michael Searle said he would have no qualms about Cartwright coaching the national team.
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if they give it to cartwright they may as just start handing out coaching gigs and jumpers. cartwrights been a 1st grade coach for 2 years, he may yet prove to be a very good coach but he's hardly proven himself so far
