1) isn't pretty well every coach a former player?

2) I'm genuinely puzzled by the suggestions that recent ex players with around zero coaching experience, and none at top flight level, are the ideal appointments for the international coach's position – sentiment over realism?

Perhaps I should've elaborated.
I don't think we've got a lot of hope of getting someone like Bennett over here to do the job, so my thought was that we pick a promising younger coach, get him the best support, education (perhaps through the Australian coaching system, somehow) and guidence from both European and Australian sources like the aformentioned Bennett. I'm suggesting a series of moves to create a british coach capable of setting up and coaching an international team with the tactics and know how to compete consistantly. It would take a few years, perhaps, but is it not worth a try?

We don't seem to produce the coaches in england at the moment and all the Aussies who work here are generally considered 2nd rate in NRL terms. It will take us a long time to overhall the entire coaching education system, so why don't we (in the mean time) stick a few eggs in a basket and try and get one coach who actually knows his onions.

The reason I suggested a player of Joynt's calibre was because if a young, reletively inexperienced coach was to be given a high up role, it would help if he was already a respected figure within the game. I'm not advocating picking someone [ijust[/i on their playing ability.

Or we can just toss a coin between Kear and McBanana
I'm not sure if this is the winning strategy, but at least its a stragegy.

Bennett and Edwards leading this poll to be next England coach, but wouldn't they make a dream ticket together ? See too that McNamara has "nil points"! timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... coach.html

Bennett and Edwards leading this poll to be next England coach, but wouldn't they make a dream ticket together ? See too that McNamara has "nil points"! timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... coach.html

I do wish people would be realistic about it.

And anyway, what does Edwards know about modern rugby league?

Shaun Edwards

lol, so far 0 per cent of the vote has gone for McNamara

He's forgotten more than most here know...

Mind there is little chance of either taking up the job.

Probably far more than any of us put together! I've played the game up until very recentyly for a long time and followed the game all my life, as, I'm sure plenty of others on here have too. Unfortunately I don't have the the talents, skills and knowledge Edwards has otherwise I'd be an ideal appointment. I agree its very very doubtful we'd be able to tempe Edwards away from what he's doing now but to question his knowledge is just plain ridiculous. Is it because he's a Wiganer by any chance?

on the subject of an untried ex player as coach.
i remember reading chris joynts book.in one chapter he recalls playing for gb at wembley against the aussies.ellery hanley was coach and asked him to play prop.i am not sure if it was his debut,but it was one his earliest international matches.he says he had never played prop before,but the belief that hanley instilled in him made him believe he was the best prop in the world.
young players look up to great players.players nowadays are well enough coached at club level,so perhaps they dont need extra coaching at internationals.mal meninga at queensland being a prime example along with klinsmann and the german football team.had kearney done much coaching before the nz job?
give the job to andy farrell or radlinski,and thats from a saints fan!

or appoint bennett as RFL technical director and bring over here so he can hold 'coaching master classes' for many young british coaches...instead of just the one

He hasn't been involved in league for years and would be a far worse appointment than someone who has been involved in top level coaching in recent years. The game has changed so much since he moved on it's untrue.

I'd rather Wigan's current coach took the job than him.

The whole Shaun Edwards myth is basically centred on him not having been involved in recent England/GB failures.

I dont think wayne bennett would take any position over here if it got offered.

Firstly he is one year into the St George job,which he said is a prized job in aus,given their history.

Secondly,is a private, family man..2 of his children are disabled, so their needs would have to be taken into consideration before moving over here.

This point is made on the boards whenever Bennetts been linked to a job over here.

Well at least he is now beating Tim Sheens