Does anyone think the intiative shown by giving next seasons (2113) coaching role to Baloo at Huddersfield is a good idea?. I think it lends itself to consistency in preparation, tactics and recruiting staff to fit into their system(s).

This raises the question, if grandad goes back to Oz, would it be a good idea to put Purtill on standby, enabling him to learn during this season the Head coaches role.
If this does happen, I hope Mr McManus would consider sending Cunningham over to Oz (West Tigers) for 3 months to learn first hand how things operate down under,

In my Opinion, the 2 Ks would make a first class coaching team, with the right grooming and encouragement.

I'm very happy with Royce just now thanks. If he has a great season in 2012 then I would like to see him stay on.

I'm not sheeple. Bandwagons are there to be waved at. I hope Saints choose the best person for the job should Royce leave at the end of 2012. I don't care whether that person is from England, Australia or Outer Mongolia just so long as they are the right person for the job.

As I've put in another read about Paul Anderson, I think it's vital that young coaches need to serve their time as assistant before jumping in to the top jobs.

To many young British coaches take jobs to early and then drift off in to nowhere.

I think KP even at young age has served his time and worked under some very good coaches but McManus knows him personally and knows what's he's about but IMO if McManus feels he's got all the skills to do it then by rights should get the job.

Better to serve 20 years as assistant before becoming a top head coach, than 2 years and become another forgettable.

If we are successful this year, no doubt Royce will return home for a better job. In that case, i'd be happy for KP to take over, he's served his time at assistant and deserves his chance

Personally I dont think the two K's would be a good mix. I think would lead to and expectation of cunningham taking over long term and would undermine KP taking the top job.

As for Royce there is no saying he will not do another three years if things go well and he wins something. not all successful SL coaches go back to oz. Mcrea did not after winning with saints. neither did basil. anderson did but what is he doing now.

Also unlike anderson i think royce has no young kids and that makes a difference in terms of commitment. If he does go I would not expect a simple handover I would expect a proper job app like every other coach at saints has.

I agree. In addition, Cunningham is only just starting out on the coaching (and conditioning) side of things. I think he has a long way to go yet before he is ready to take on an assistant role in the senior team. Mind you, that won't stop Saints old boys network kicking in!


Also, what some fans may have forgotten, is that Royce has been there and done that in terms of being a head coach in the NRL. He was in charge at Penrith for quite a few years following his internship as head coach at Hull FC. If he likes it here, is liked here, and is doing a good job then there is no reason why he shouldn't stay on or indeed he would necessarily want to go back at that point. Every coach has a shelf life but he doesn't have the same constraints or career pressures that the recent flock of newbie Aussie coaches over here have had.

I've not seen Purtill in shades so I don't know how he'd do. He doesn't seem to have much of a fist pump either.

Just cut the garbage Saints and get DA back. He's doing media work in Australia FFS, get him back.

Having said what I have, Purtill does seam to do most of the talking at half time?

I seem to remember Daniel Anderson saying of the 3 legend players Longy, Cunningham and Scully. It was Sean Long who was the most likely and better prospect of being a Superleague coach.

Long as head coach would be fine. Purtill is pure backroom material. Every club needs one.

Little harsh imo, KP is a lad and if he wasn't highly thought of he wouldn't be doing the talks at half time