Parrasque
Juniors
- Messages
- 1,406
Taylor has backing for promotion
By Brent Read
November 18, 2005
PARRAMATTA lower-grade coach Jason Taylor has emerged as early favourite to replace Brian Smith at the helm of the Eels after next season.
Only a month ago, chief executive Denis Fitzgerald declared the former halfback a first-grade coach in the making.
The Eels are in the market for a new coach after yesterday revealing they would not be offering Smith a contract when his existing deal runs out at the end of next year - even if the club wins the premiership.
Taylor heads the list of contenders thanks to his success in guiding Parramatta to last season's premier league title.
The wild card in the equation could be Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens, who is talking to the premier about extending his existing contract.
Sheens, off contract at the end of 2006, looms as a logical target following his reincarnation at Wests Tigers, whom he led to its maiden title this year.
It was the fourth premiership of his coaching career after three at Canberra in the late-1980s and 1990s.
Wests Tigers, who handed Sheens a lifeline in 2003, have already opened talks with him and plan to resume negotiations when he returns from an off-season break.
"Tim and I have had a number of discussions," Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce said. "I have said a number of times he's the best signing the club has made."
Several other coaches are likely to throw their hat in the ring. Smith's assistant, Peter Sharp, has head coaching experience with Manly and the Northern Eagles, and would be keen to take over the top job.
In an exemplary piece of timing, Britain coach Brian Noble, who led Bradford to the Super League title this season, also revealed he was keen to test himself in the NRL.
Wigan coach Ian Millward is likely to receive an airing while former Test coach Chris Anderson is arguably the most successful coach on the open market.
In other NRL news, Canberra hooker Simon Woolford has decided to step down as captain next season.
Woolford, who has been captain of the Raiders for five seasons, said he had given up the honour to concentrate on having the best year possible after enduring a difficult 2005, spending several weeks on the sideline through suspension.
"The main reason for this decision is the fact that I've set myself a goal of having my best year at the club next year, and to do this I felt I needed to lighten my responsibility and workload off the field," Woolford said.
"It also allows me to give the future captain some support while I'm still with the club.
"Being captain of an out-of-Sydney team involves a lot of travel, so this decision will help bring some balance to my life. I started talking to (coach) Matty (Elliott) at the end of the season about it, and he has been supportive and understanding."
Elliott has ready-made captaincy candidates in evergreen utility Jason Croker and fullback Clinton Schifcofske. Halfback Lincoln Withers could also come under consideration.
"It's not an easy decision for Simon to make, but I understand and respect his reasoning behind it," Elliott said.
"By making this decision now, Simon has allowed us time to choose a successor.
"There are a couple of obvious candidates, but I'd like to consult the players to get a feel for who they'd like to lead them on to the field each week."
Canberra isn't the only side in the NRL with captaincy issues.
Manly and the Sydney Roosters are yet to name their leaders for 2006, although the Sea Eagles will give the job to Ben Kennedy when he returns from the Kangaroo tour. Roosters coach Ricky Stuart could also plump for a Tri-Nations tourist - goalkicking second-rower Craig Fitzgibbon.
Britain front rower Adrian Morley, Kangaroos utility Craig Wing and a pair of new recruits, Braith Anasta and Ashley Harrison, will also come under consideration for the post.
However, Fitzgibbon is the favourite with almost 50 per cent of voters on the club's website nominating the second rower as the man to lead the side in 2006.
from foxsports.com.au
By Brent Read
November 18, 2005
PARRAMATTA lower-grade coach Jason Taylor has emerged as early favourite to replace Brian Smith at the helm of the Eels after next season.
Only a month ago, chief executive Denis Fitzgerald declared the former halfback a first-grade coach in the making.
The Eels are in the market for a new coach after yesterday revealing they would not be offering Smith a contract when his existing deal runs out at the end of next year - even if the club wins the premiership.
Taylor heads the list of contenders thanks to his success in guiding Parramatta to last season's premier league title.
The wild card in the equation could be Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens, who is talking to the premier about extending his existing contract.
Sheens, off contract at the end of 2006, looms as a logical target following his reincarnation at Wests Tigers, whom he led to its maiden title this year.
It was the fourth premiership of his coaching career after three at Canberra in the late-1980s and 1990s.
Wests Tigers, who handed Sheens a lifeline in 2003, have already opened talks with him and plan to resume negotiations when he returns from an off-season break.
"Tim and I have had a number of discussions," Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce said. "I have said a number of times he's the best signing the club has made."
Several other coaches are likely to throw their hat in the ring. Smith's assistant, Peter Sharp, has head coaching experience with Manly and the Northern Eagles, and would be keen to take over the top job.
In an exemplary piece of timing, Britain coach Brian Noble, who led Bradford to the Super League title this season, also revealed he was keen to test himself in the NRL.
Wigan coach Ian Millward is likely to receive an airing while former Test coach Chris Anderson is arguably the most successful coach on the open market.
In other NRL news, Canberra hooker Simon Woolford has decided to step down as captain next season.
Woolford, who has been captain of the Raiders for five seasons, said he had given up the honour to concentrate on having the best year possible after enduring a difficult 2005, spending several weeks on the sideline through suspension.
"The main reason for this decision is the fact that I've set myself a goal of having my best year at the club next year, and to do this I felt I needed to lighten my responsibility and workload off the field," Woolford said.
"It also allows me to give the future captain some support while I'm still with the club.
"Being captain of an out-of-Sydney team involves a lot of travel, so this decision will help bring some balance to my life. I started talking to (coach) Matty (Elliott) at the end of the season about it, and he has been supportive and understanding."
Elliott has ready-made captaincy candidates in evergreen utility Jason Croker and fullback Clinton Schifcofske. Halfback Lincoln Withers could also come under consideration.
"It's not an easy decision for Simon to make, but I understand and respect his reasoning behind it," Elliott said.
"By making this decision now, Simon has allowed us time to choose a successor.
"There are a couple of obvious candidates, but I'd like to consult the players to get a feel for who they'd like to lead them on to the field each week."
Canberra isn't the only side in the NRL with captaincy issues.
Manly and the Sydney Roosters are yet to name their leaders for 2006, although the Sea Eagles will give the job to Ben Kennedy when he returns from the Kangaroo tour. Roosters coach Ricky Stuart could also plump for a Tri-Nations tourist - goalkicking second-rower Craig Fitzgibbon.
Britain front rower Adrian Morley, Kangaroos utility Craig Wing and a pair of new recruits, Braith Anasta and Ashley Harrison, will also come under consideration for the post.
However, Fitzgibbon is the favourite with almost 50 per cent of voters on the club's website nominating the second rower as the man to lead the side in 2006.
from foxsports.com.au
