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This can't happen. Brain Smiths tipped to take over as referees boss
After having to put up with R. Finch's post Bretts sacking and perceived anti-Roosters treatment, I don't want to think what could happen if Smith took over.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226507852365
After having to put up with R. Finch's post Bretts sacking and perceived anti-Roosters treatment, I don't want to think what could happen if Smith took over.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226507852365
WEEKS after his sacking at the Sydney Roosters, Brian Smith is firming as a shock selection to take over the NRL referees job.
NRL operations director Nathan McGuirk has begun interviewing candidates and confirmed yesterday he expects to make his decision "within the next fortnight".
Smith declared his interest in the job just lately, even though it is believed the NRL had begun casting an eye around for a suitable replacement to former coaches Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper before they were sacked.
Smith has caught the NRL's interest after the league redefined the role and ruled out a refereeing background as a necessary factor - a decision that, importantly, zooms him into contention.
McGuirk said "experience in managing a group of people in a high-performance atmosphere" was being sought.
The referees are said to be favouring Russell Smith for the job, with considerable support for Tony Archer. Other names mentioned include video referee Steve Clark and former coaches Daniel Anderson and Kevin Moore.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
McGuirk would not be drawn on Smith specifically, saying, "I have spoken to a number of people and, again, each of those people have asked to be anonymous and I'm comfortable with that."
Just days after sacked Harrigan said the rulebook no longer suited the game and needed to be overhauled, the NRL is looking to give one of the game's most complex jobs to arguably its most complex man.
Smith has coached 25 seasons in the NRL and, while yet to win a premiership, has succeeded - and been sacked - because of his often unconventional coaching methods.
Smith was the first, and is still the only, coach to have introduced cherry pickers to training sessions.
Past players have criticised his propensity to communicate through text messages. However other former players have rated his football knowledge as the most advanced they have experienced. Just how this transfers to the referee coaching ranks is uncertain.
"In the next fortnight hopefully we'll have something in place," McGuirk said. "We will be talking to people who we think have the potential to add to the group out there.
"We're looking to restructure the leadership group going forward which will bring fresh change, fresh perspectives, to our group next year."
This is where the NRL has shifted focus from refereeing experience to experiences in high performance.
"We don't particularly believe that they have to have a refereeing background," McGuirk said.
"A strong rugby league background is essential."
NRL operations director Nathan McGuirk has begun interviewing candidates and confirmed yesterday he expects to make his decision "within the next fortnight".
Smith declared his interest in the job just lately, even though it is believed the NRL had begun casting an eye around for a suitable replacement to former coaches Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper before they were sacked.
Smith has caught the NRL's interest after the league redefined the role and ruled out a refereeing background as a necessary factor - a decision that, importantly, zooms him into contention.
McGuirk said "experience in managing a group of people in a high-performance atmosphere" was being sought.
The referees are said to be favouring Russell Smith for the job, with considerable support for Tony Archer. Other names mentioned include video referee Steve Clark and former coaches Daniel Anderson and Kevin Moore.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
McGuirk would not be drawn on Smith specifically, saying, "I have spoken to a number of people and, again, each of those people have asked to be anonymous and I'm comfortable with that."
Just days after sacked Harrigan said the rulebook no longer suited the game and needed to be overhauled, the NRL is looking to give one of the game's most complex jobs to arguably its most complex man.
Smith has coached 25 seasons in the NRL and, while yet to win a premiership, has succeeded - and been sacked - because of his often unconventional coaching methods.
Smith was the first, and is still the only, coach to have introduced cherry pickers to training sessions.
Past players have criticised his propensity to communicate through text messages. However other former players have rated his football knowledge as the most advanced they have experienced. Just how this transfers to the referee coaching ranks is uncertain.
"In the next fortnight hopefully we'll have something in place," McGuirk said. "We will be talking to people who we think have the potential to add to the group out there.
"We're looking to restructure the leadership group going forward which will bring fresh change, fresh perspectives, to our group next year."
This is where the NRL has shifted focus from refereeing experience to experiences in high performance.
"We don't particularly believe that they have to have a refereeing background," McGuirk said.
"A strong rugby league background is essential."
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