Ackland's unfinished business with NZ league
Last updated 05:00 15/09/2013
CHRIS BARCLAY
JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax Media
John Ackland fended off interest from rival NRL clubs to commit to fostering league in New Zealand - through the newly created role of national game development manager.
A noted talent scout and the most successful coach in the six-year history of the NRL's under-20s competition, Ackland announced in June that he was quitting his post as the Junior Warriors mentor due, primarily, to irreconcilable differences with first-grade coach Matt Elliott.
Elliott's belief that the club's capable Holden Cup players should be incorporated in the Auckland Vulcans reserve grade team to aid their development compromised Ackland's ability to win a third title, although the under-20 team kept their hopes alive with a 20-18 elimination final victory over South Sydney in Sydney on Friday night.
Ackland's career move to the New Zealand Rugby League was announced last Monday, alleviating fears the former Auckland-based scout for the Canterbury Bulldogs might rejoin the club.
He admitted there had been approaches from NRL clubs but the lure of still playing a part in the code's development meant staying in New Zealand.
"There was [interest from clubs] but I don't see why everyone involved in rugby league should have to leave New Zealand," he said.
Ackland explained his brief was to formulate and implement ways of growing league throughout the country, from grass roots level.
"I'm sort of a low performance manager," he smiled, after watching his last under-20s squad recover from a 14-4 deficit to stay alive. "I'll be helping out the coaches and providing a bit of resourcing."
Ideally, Ackland won't assume his new position until after Grand Final day on October 6, and his players are determined to ensure his second tenure at the Warriors ends on a successful note.
"John's done a lot for our team. The boys have talked about trying to get this one for him," said halfback Mason Lino, who joined the team in 2011.
Ackland claimed his second title that year, but was coy on whether this roster were capable of emulating the feats of their predecessors in 2010-11.
"They're all different teams, this is a very young team," he said.
He calculates that only three or so will be ineligible in 2014.
The squad's inexperience means Ackland does not expect many of the squad to graduate to the NRL, although he would not be surprised if fullback David Fusitua was given a chance, despite Elliott having plenty of outside back options.
Fusitua, who scored the Warriors' opening try on Friday, was a "class act", Ackland said.
"I think he's just starting to appreciate how good he is. He's one of those kids who probably didn't realise just how good he can be."
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