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David Furner's NRL coaching career will start against his former mentor
David Furner won his only Australian premiership under Tim Sheens at Canberra in 1994, now Sheens could prevent Furner achieving a fairytale start to his NRL coaching career.
Furner has become the latest branch in the Sheens coaching tree, with Melbourne's Craig Bellamy, Cronulla's Ricky Stuart and Queensland coach Mal Meninga all having played under the veteran mentor.
The former Test forward admitted to nerves ahead of tonight's match against Sheens' Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
“There have been a few coaches I've looked up to during my time, including the man I'll be up against tomorrow night,” Furner said yesterday.
“I've spoken to Tim a few times, but I didn't give it too much thought about coming up against him in the first round.
“The one thing you know with Tim is his team will be well prepared, and that's what we have to be.”
Furner always expected he would coach in the UK Super League before being given a start in the NRL.
He said he was happy to bide his time as the Raiders assistant coach for three years, but once Neil Henry announced last season he would join the North Queensland Cowboys, the time was right for Furner to step into the hot seat.
“I always thought I'd get an opportunity to coach overseas,” Furner said.
“I remember there was a time Matty Elliott moved on to join Penrith and people were expecting me to try to go for the first-grade job (at Canberra).
“But it was just too early. I confided in a few people. Then the chance came up again (last year) and this time I knew I was ready.”
The Raiders made a shock exit from the finals last season after the Warriors upset Melbourne.
Despite the dramas with wayward half-back Todd Carney behind them and having played finals football last year, Canberra have been given little hope of achieving much this season.
However, Furner is only focused on the Tigers, who will be boosted by Benji Marshall's re-signing - he also respects English import Gareth Ellis.
Robbie Farah will also enjoy a milestone when he leads the Tigers out as first-choice captain.
“After the way we went in 2005, we've probably been living in the past and we need to get back on track,” Farah said.
“To win a Grand Final, then miss three straight finals is very disappointing, and things need to change.”
Furner has become the latest branch in the Sheens coaching tree, with Melbourne's Craig Bellamy, Cronulla's Ricky Stuart and Queensland coach Mal Meninga all having played under the veteran mentor.
The former Test forward admitted to nerves ahead of tonight's match against Sheens' Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
“There have been a few coaches I've looked up to during my time, including the man I'll be up against tomorrow night,” Furner said yesterday.
“I've spoken to Tim a few times, but I didn't give it too much thought about coming up against him in the first round.
“The one thing you know with Tim is his team will be well prepared, and that's what we have to be.”
Furner always expected he would coach in the UK Super League before being given a start in the NRL.
He said he was happy to bide his time as the Raiders assistant coach for three years, but once Neil Henry announced last season he would join the North Queensland Cowboys, the time was right for Furner to step into the hot seat.
“I always thought I'd get an opportunity to coach overseas,” Furner said.
“I remember there was a time Matty Elliott moved on to join Penrith and people were expecting me to try to go for the first-grade job (at Canberra).
“But it was just too early. I confided in a few people. Then the chance came up again (last year) and this time I knew I was ready.”
The Raiders made a shock exit from the finals last season after the Warriors upset Melbourne.
Despite the dramas with wayward half-back Todd Carney behind them and having played finals football last year, Canberra have been given little hope of achieving much this season.
However, Furner is only focused on the Tigers, who will be boosted by Benji Marshall's re-signing - he also respects English import Gareth Ellis.
Robbie Farah will also enjoy a milestone when he leads the Tigers out as first-choice captain.
“After the way we went in 2005, we've probably been living in the past and we need to get back on track,” Farah said.
“To win a Grand Final, then miss three straight finals is very disappointing, and things need to change.”