Elliott names first assistant coach

Updated November 04, 2012 09:14:40

New Zealand Under-18 and Auckland Vulcans coach Ricky Henry is one of new Warriors coach Matthew Elliott's two assistants for the 2013 NRL season.

The former centre took over at the Vulcans at the start of this year's New South Wales Cup after having been involved in the Warriors' development system from 2008 to 2011.

Elliott said Henry, 34, made an immediate impact on him on both a personal and professional level.

"I instantly saw him as being a key part of our NRL coaching staff and the club's vision," Elliott said on Sunday.

Henry played for various New Zealand domestic clubs, and represented the Junior Kiwis, New Zealand Residents and New Zealand Maori.

He had a stint with the Warriors at reserve grade level and was a member of South Sydney's NRL squad in 1999 before the Rabbitohs were excluded from the competition for two years.

Elliott is yet to name his other assistant, with former Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro turning down the offer to stay at the club.

The Warriors begin preseason training on Monday.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, new-zealand

First posted November 04, 2012 09:14:40

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Johns signs as Sea Eagles assistant

Updated November 06, 2012 16:30:42

Andrew Johns has joined Manly as an assistant coach for the 2013 NRL season, the club announced on Tuesday.

After serving as a part-time consultant to several NRL clubs, the half-back great will now work exclusively with the Sea Eagles across all grades on a permanent part-time basis and will also have mentoring and ambassadorial roles for the club.

Johns, who has assisted Manly's premiership-winning halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans previously, said he was looking forward to working with the 2011 NRL champions and head coach Geoff Toovey.

"What's really exciting is working with young players who aspire to become NRL players as well as having an important involvement with the NRL squad," Johns said.

"They are smart players, with huge potential," he said.

"I'm looking forward to working with Geoff Toovey and his team to fine-tune certain aspects that will hopefully continue Manly's success."

Toovey said Johns, who will start with the club later this month, would bring a wealth of knowledge with him.

"Joey's helped us in previous years but it's great to have him on-board now in a more permanent role," Toovey said.

"His technical expertise and knowledge of the game will be invaluable to us."

Sea Eagles general manager David Perry said the acquisition of Johns was a big boost for the club.

"Joey is recognised as one of the greatest rugby league players of all time and to be able to draw on his expertise exclusively will give our club an edge," Perry said.

"He's highly regarded by our players, staff and the wider NRL community, and we're really looking forward to welcoming a professional of his calibre to our staff."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brookvale-2100, manly-2095, nsw, australia

First posted November 06, 2012 16:12:37

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Taylor appointed Roosters assistant coach

Updated September 14, 2012 15:09:14

Former Rabbitohs NRL coach Jason Taylor will return to play a part in the top grade as assistant to Troy Robinson at the Roosters next year.

Taylor is the Roosters under-20s coach but the club's new NRL coach Robinson has called Taylor up to be his assistant in 2013.

Taylor was shown the door at South Sydney at the end of 2009 following an incident at an end of season team celebration.

In his first year at the Rabbitohs in 2007 he took them to their first finals appearance since 1989.

Before taking over from Shaun McCrae at South Sydney, Taylor was caretaker coach at Parramatta for most of the 2006 season after Brian Smith left the Eels in May that year.

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted September 14, 2012 15:09:14

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Roosters give top job to former assistant

Updated September 07, 2012 15:51:57

The Sydney Roosters have appointed Trent Robinson as their new NRL coach on a three-year deal.

Currently coach of Super League's Catalan Dragons, 35-year-old Robinson will join the Roosters for the 2013 season after Brian Smith was released by the club on Wednesday with one year left on his contract.

A former Roosters junior, Robinson played a handful of first-grade games with Wests Tigers and Parramatta before joining the coaching ranks.

He was assistant coach at Newcastle in 2007-2009 before joining the Roosters for the 2010 season and Robinson is said to have been a key figure in the Roosters' charge to the grand final that year.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis welcomed the appointment on Friday.

"We are extremely pleased that Trent will be joining the Roosters after agreeing to terms for the next three years," Politis said in a statement.

"We believe that he is the ideal candidate to take the Roosters forward.

"Trent was a key contributor to the Roosters success in 2010 and while he is still a relatively young coach, he already has pedigree and experience gained over his time as an assistant coach in the NRL and head coach in the Super League."

Robinson will join the Roosters once his commitments to Catalans are finished.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted September 07, 2012 14:47:52

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