I’d forgotten about Cook, interesting shout.

I don’t think Sinfield will come back but thought he was doing better as time went on from a poor starting point. I think we are in a pretty poor place again for the first 20 players. The new director may get lucky IF some of the young players can really make it. We’ve had a lot of false dawns.

Given they've stated they hope to appoint in early June, which is next week, there's already someone lined up. A six week block of bottom 4 teams and weeks off is coming up and an opportunity to change tack, either with the coach or the style we play. The first team should be the template for all the other levels and the sporting director should be insisting on that, just going back to basics would leave us in a better position for a new coach next season.

I can only imagine another sporting / rugby director from another club will be poached. Both Chris Chester and Ian Blease seem to be doing a decent role on the recruitment / coaching appointment role at Leigh and Salford.

An ex-player from the goldens doesn't fit the criteria, because GH has said they need to have experience of corporate finance, so can't see that personally.

GH has said before that coaches have always had control over players brought in; and now this role involves recruitment and takes that responsibility from him?

Which is it?

We need to find a way to increase the amount we spend on the first team as a whole, but we need to spend better too with what we have. If this new role can do that we’ll have progress.

Hopefully, we stay clear of JP, JJB, Sinfield, Rohan / Tony Smith.

The corporate finance bit made me think of Oates.
At the end of the day the salary cap is what about £2.1m , it’s a small budget , you don’t need Warren Buffett . I don’t think Blease, Chester or radlinski are actuaries. The key is identifying the players and persuading them to come and getting the youth flowing through.

The more Gh talks the more he reminds me of Captain Mainwaring

I’m pretty sure it will be Rob Oates from what has been said. Whilst it’s a step forward to have the role, we would ideally fill it with someone from outside the organisation so we can benefit from their ideas drawn from other experiences.

does he have the relevant scouting expertise? I have no idea

If its Oates, then its pointless imo, we need to get as far away from Rhinos DNA, and all the associated nonsense that comes with that, as possible for this role, Oates does a cracking job in his current role, let him carry on with that.

But agreed, GH's interview did seem to set the table for someone like Oates

How about Ellery Hanley?
He wouldn`t stand any nonsense and has an excellent reputation.
Got some experience on the financial side with his misdemeanours in the changing rooms whilst playing for Bradford!

Ellery is a great shout - Winston's after training lads!!

It is positive the club are separating the rugby from the commercial. Rob Oates would be a great CEO no good for this role. Hopefully they stay clear of all the older players - Ryan Hall would be the only one as he one step removed and he is currently in the game at the sharp end.

Agreed. If the intention is to just shuffle the deckchairs why go to the bother of advertising the role with all the attendent hullabaloo. It needs to be someone outside the club with both a playing/coaching and administrative background. A proven record of success would be key.