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Raper's battle plan
By Paul Kent
December 3, 2003
STUART RAPER last night unveiled the blueprint he hopes will see Cronulla return to the sharp end of the competition ladder.
Raper was confirmed as the Sharks' new coach after Chris Anderson was sacked on Monday and already has his ideas on what changes need to be made.
Firstly, he believes he can heal the battered club. "What I won't be doing is making radical changes," he said.
Raper was confirmed at a board meeting last night as elsewhere Anderson received legal advice for what he believes amounts to unfair dismissal.
The new coach will wait until next year - after meetings with Kangaroo tourists Brett Kimmorley and Phil Bailey and other senior players - before he decides what to do with Cronulla's often criticised flat attacking style.
Raper was adamant that the game plan, which drew hails of criticism from Anderson's protagonists, will not be automatically sent to the scrapheap.
"The flat attack has come under a lot of criticism but I think there's a place for it," he said. "It can be a positive style of play when you're going forward, but I'm going to look at modifying a few aspects."
Bailey entered hospital for foot surgery yesterday but not before CEO Steve Rogers indicated the club would retain him.
Bailey's contract contains a get-out clause should somebody replace Anderson as head coach, however he indicated yesterday that he was keen to stay with the Sharks.
As lawyers stand ready at 20 paces, the players have rallied and decided they will support Raper as new head coach.
The players have been pragmatic about Raper's appointment and Anderson's sacking. "We had a good talk about it before a decision was made and we knew that whatever happened we had to put it behind us and move on," prop Chris Beattie said.
Raper has emerged as a popular choice among players and fans and will assume a familiar position after taking over at Castleford and Wigan in similar circumstances.
Crucial to Raper's plans is Kangaroo halfback Kimmorley, who is not due back at the club until next year's resumption of training.
"There will be a lot of discussion and a lot of work done there (in relation to the Sharks' playing style), especially with Brett Kimmorley," Raper said.
"There's a few individuals I need to talk to, starting with Kimmorley and Phil Bailey, who have just got back from the Kangaroo tour, as well as other senior players.
"We'll sit down and devise a pattern of play. I'll be having the players' input for much of that.
"I can't tell you much about how we're going to play, but having said that I've got my own ideas that can help the players and help the club."
Raper has been working with the Sharks players for more than a month while Anderson was in England with the Australian team.
Among his thoughts are:
* The club is in good shape regarding playing depth and has recruited well.
* He has no plans to change the playing roster between here and next season.
* He has not thought about who will captain the club next season, Kimmorley or former captain David Peachey.
The Sharks may look to play a variety of styles next season.
"Brett Kimmorley is going to be a big linchpin for us, but there are a number of players who have shown potential to play different styles of games that best suit the team," he said.
While many Sharks fans will hope to see a return to the free-flowing style encapsulated by Peachey, Raper said the trick was finding a style that suits the team. "You don't coach a player to be a flair player, he's either got it or he doesn't," he said.
"With someone like Peach that's the way he plays, so you like to utilise his attacking style.
"I'll look at bringing out the strengths of the players."
The players trained yesterday and were universal in their support for Raper, the son of league legend Johnny Raper.
"I haven't been on the field with him but he has done a couple of sessions with me in the gym and he is a fantastic communicator," said Jason Stevens. "He reads a game well. We were talking a bit about his theories and he reads a game really well, he's got a good feel for the game."
The Daily Telegraph
By Paul Kent
December 3, 2003
STUART RAPER last night unveiled the blueprint he hopes will see Cronulla return to the sharp end of the competition ladder.
Raper was confirmed as the Sharks' new coach after Chris Anderson was sacked on Monday and already has his ideas on what changes need to be made.
Firstly, he believes he can heal the battered club. "What I won't be doing is making radical changes," he said.
Raper was confirmed at a board meeting last night as elsewhere Anderson received legal advice for what he believes amounts to unfair dismissal.
The new coach will wait until next year - after meetings with Kangaroo tourists Brett Kimmorley and Phil Bailey and other senior players - before he decides what to do with Cronulla's often criticised flat attacking style.
Raper was adamant that the game plan, which drew hails of criticism from Anderson's protagonists, will not be automatically sent to the scrapheap.
"The flat attack has come under a lot of criticism but I think there's a place for it," he said. "It can be a positive style of play when you're going forward, but I'm going to look at modifying a few aspects."
Bailey entered hospital for foot surgery yesterday but not before CEO Steve Rogers indicated the club would retain him.
Bailey's contract contains a get-out clause should somebody replace Anderson as head coach, however he indicated yesterday that he was keen to stay with the Sharks.
As lawyers stand ready at 20 paces, the players have rallied and decided they will support Raper as new head coach.
The players have been pragmatic about Raper's appointment and Anderson's sacking. "We had a good talk about it before a decision was made and we knew that whatever happened we had to put it behind us and move on," prop Chris Beattie said.
Raper has emerged as a popular choice among players and fans and will assume a familiar position after taking over at Castleford and Wigan in similar circumstances.
Crucial to Raper's plans is Kangaroo halfback Kimmorley, who is not due back at the club until next year's resumption of training.
"There will be a lot of discussion and a lot of work done there (in relation to the Sharks' playing style), especially with Brett Kimmorley," Raper said.
"There's a few individuals I need to talk to, starting with Kimmorley and Phil Bailey, who have just got back from the Kangaroo tour, as well as other senior players.
"We'll sit down and devise a pattern of play. I'll be having the players' input for much of that.
"I can't tell you much about how we're going to play, but having said that I've got my own ideas that can help the players and help the club."
Raper has been working with the Sharks players for more than a month while Anderson was in England with the Australian team.
Among his thoughts are:
* The club is in good shape regarding playing depth and has recruited well.
* He has no plans to change the playing roster between here and next season.
* He has not thought about who will captain the club next season, Kimmorley or former captain David Peachey.
The Sharks may look to play a variety of styles next season.
"Brett Kimmorley is going to be a big linchpin for us, but there are a number of players who have shown potential to play different styles of games that best suit the team," he said.
While many Sharks fans will hope to see a return to the free-flowing style encapsulated by Peachey, Raper said the trick was finding a style that suits the team. "You don't coach a player to be a flair player, he's either got it or he doesn't," he said.
"With someone like Peach that's the way he plays, so you like to utilise his attacking style.
"I'll look at bringing out the strengths of the players."
The players trained yesterday and were universal in their support for Raper, the son of league legend Johnny Raper.
"I haven't been on the field with him but he has done a couple of sessions with me in the gym and he is a fantastic communicator," said Jason Stevens. "He reads a game well. We were talking a bit about his theories and he reads a game really well, he's got a good feel for the game."
The Daily Telegraph
