that wasn't the story in Newcastle. Rip was offered a chance to continue coaching Flegg at the Knights for the love of the job and some pocket money - or he got a full time paid coaching gig in PL at parra - not a hard decision i suppose.
I know Rip always had a job to keep a regular income - but he has managed to put in plenty of time with his team.
One funny thing i remember - he had to go away with the NSW country rep team about 5 years ago when his club side, Newcastle Rosellas, was playing a knockout final the same week. He was asked what he was going to do to get a coach for the Rosellas, and he said he had taught them all they needed to win and they didn't need a coach for the week - and he was right.
My best memory of Rip was going to Quenbeyan to watch the Knights flegg side play Canberra, and the then suspended Dane Tilse came over to say hi to a few of his mates in the stand and had a few laughs etc - then obviously had some worries to get off his chest, so asked Rip for a word. The two of them went to a quiet spot in the stands and talked for an hour, and it was obvious the big guy was unburdening himself of all the worries in the world and Rip was getting him through it. Tilse meant nothing to Taylor in a professional sense at the time, and he had a whole team of his own players to look after, but he made all the time the big guy needed. He isn't just a coach, he is a great dad to these kids.
