It has often been said great players don’t always make great coaches. That perspective can be broadened to include the idea that players are rarely the best people to consult when hiring coaches.
This week the New Zealand Warriors players, according to various press reports, were in an uproar over the perceived snubbing of their assistant coach, Tony Iro, in favour of Matthew Elliott for the senior coaching job.
Before I address Tony Iro, let me say that I have little to no opinion on Matthew Elliott as a coach. He’s had below average results with below average teams in the NRL.
His English career was more successful, but not having had the chance to watch his Bradford teams on a weekly basis, it’s difficult to determine his impact. With a Super League title and two Coach of the Year awards, it was at the very least positive.
All of which makes his appointment to the Warriors job slightly mystifying, especially since the man, with due respect, isn’t what one would call a dynamic presence.
But that discussion will be had in 2013. At issue here is the players’ dissatisfaction over the Warriors’ failure to even consider Tony Iro.
The club’s management has watched a squad of extremely talented, athletic players put together a miserable season. Under the tutelage of former New Zealand coach Brian McClennan, they have played like the New Zealand national team – occasional bursts of brilliant play, mixed with erratic, disinterested performances.
That has been the norm for the Warriors since their inception in 1995. It is not surprising to me that the team’s two highlight years, with grand final appearances in 2002 and 2012, occurred with Daniel Anderson and Ivan Cleary at the helm.
It is interesting to note that neither Anderson nor Cleary began their coaching careers in the New Zealand system. Anderson started with Brian Smith at Parramatta in 1999, while Cleary worked in the Roosters’ organisation from 2003-2004.
Neither man had anything to do with the Kiwi team, as either a player or a coach, before taking the reigns in Auckland.
This is significant, and it’s one reason why I believe the Warriors were right to ignore Iro.
If there is one characteristic of Kiwi and Warriors players which has really stood out over the years, it must be their sporadic commitment and its inevitable by-product, inconsistency.
If the players are right, and Iro had a strong influence on them, then he must also bear a decent share of responsibility for their lack of discipline, energy and physical commitment in defence throughout last season.
We must also remember Tony Iro the player. At his best, he was an excellent representative player, with size and athleticism. Unfortunately, like many of the Warriors and Kiwis today, he wasn’t able to maintain a high level of play on a consistent basis.
So he may not be the ideal person to bring resolve and consistency to a team which is lacking both.
Being loved and respected by 25 players who rarely performed to their potential should not be a serious endorsement for any head coaching position.
Maybe Tony Iro will make a tremendous head coach and I hope, for his sake, he gets to prove that one day.
But not now. Not at this club. The Warriors need someone who can instil discipline and a desire to perform on a weekly basis.
In fairness to those unhappy New Zealand players, it remains to be seen whether or not Matthew Elliott has the answers.
The Dribbler
Guest
Just HAD to ask how you feel about Elliott now? the warriors are worse then last year! he wont see out the year like I said.
iambunney
Guest
Elliot-bashers can justify their position easily - just look at his tenure at the Panthers and their results with the players at their disposal. 2010 they finished 2nd in the regular season, but outside of that they were ordinary. With a team containing the likes of Luke Lewis, Petero Civenoceva, Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse, & Michael Jennings his results for his 5 years there read: 2007 - 16th (last) 2008 - 12th 2009 - 11th 2010 - 2nd - but bowed out without a win in final series 2011 - 12th He took the Raiders to the finals a few times, but again, never won a final. He is 0 from 6 (or 7?) in finals. Further, he left the Panthers a rabble. Not only were they losing, he had 5 players on massively back-ended contracts who took up half of the salary cap for 2014 (McKendry, Grant, Lewis, Jennings & Coote). Further, the reaction from the players with 1. his sacking by Gould, and 2. the hard-nosed approach from Cleary highlights that Elliot was not tough enough. That aside, his results speak for themselves. Unless he turns something around (which he may), a bad appointment by the Warriors. But good luck to them...
steve b
Guest
The word is mr walters .
marayong tiger
Guest
Who cares about the NZers. Who will coach the mighty TTTIIIGGEERRSSS!
steve b
Roar Guru
Nasty , Nasty and you need to rethink your comments !!!!
oikee
Guest
Iro would be the last person i would have coaching the warriors. He is to buddy with them. These players need to be taken to the sand dunes in Australia ( has NZ got any?), and give them a old fashioned Phar-Lap welcome. They are lazy and fat. Elliot will get the best out of them, if they dont perform next year, who would want them. Would you or your team want these underperforming no hopers. ? The Kiwi players have got to get this NZ mind set out of their game. Giving 60 minutes to a 80 minute game is not good enough. Example, even the Aussie Kiwis are hopeless, Look at big Kasinao the other night, he lasted 12 minutes before he got dragged off like a blubbering whale caught in a fishnet. Compared to Matt Scott who got man of the match and lasted 30 minutes before coming off. Can you see a pattern here. You need 2 stockwhips and a loud hailer and a coach on the field to keep these mob going. They cant keep getting aussies to help them out, they have to start doing it for themselves, go that extra 10%.
wMc
Guest
Taylors tweet was BEFORE the appointment of Elliot - he knew nothing so yes it was out of context.
The Dribbler
Guest
Mate if you want to believe what the Warriors say then your in the same boat as Mclennan and all the other coaches sacked from the joint who think the Warriors words and contracts mean anything. Mclennan was given backing for 2 years and told his stay was permanent and he had time to do what he needed. Well surprise surprise hes on the scrap heap after not even 1 season of a 2 year deal. Ironically the coach who left the place has seen the Panthers to second last but they have faith in him. good luck mate cause you need it if u think Elliott is a long term coach of the Warriors. Oh yeah and u might want to rethink the Guru tag..................
Tony
Guest
Ha! Just hanging in Townsville looking for a new assistant's role!
Mals
Roar Rookie
Is that you Iro? ;-)
Tony
Guest
Excuse me, what "players" reaction? I single tweet from Ejijah Taylor (that has been taken completely out of context) cannot represent the feelings of the entire team. What a beat up by the media.
Stanley Bridge
Guest
You got that right Steve B Good article MG. Not impressed with the Warriors players reaction at all. I have never had the luxury of having input into who my next boss was going to be.
steve b
Roar Guru
The name says it all !!
The Dribbler
Guest
Im sorry guys but your missing the point. Elliot was signed for nothing so WHEN he fails he will be paid a small amount to break his contract I'm betting 1 year into his stay. This will open the door for Bellamy. Elliot wanted 2 years so they agreed but a contract means nothing. They wanted a care taker but nobody wanted to coach a terrible side and tarnish their reputations. Sorry but it's the truth.
Manly Man
Guest
He is a good a coach I agree but is he a A standard coach a premiership winning coach or a C standard coach who will always do enough to just pass the test. The Warriors have the ability to win a premiership they just need someone to put them together I hope Elliot can do this but I think that the best person who could have done it was probably Bennent but Elliot should do alright. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
Elliot is the man for the job. I cant see how the Elliot-bashers can justify themselves. Twice Super League coach of the year. Took a below average Raiders roster to regular finals appearances. Took Penrith to the upper echelons of the ladder before the wheels fell off. The man is obviously intelligent, astute, and a great communicator. I would think a hardened, experienced coach is EXACTLY what the Warriors need.
steve b
Roar Guru
I think Matt Elliot was a good choice for the Warriors ,he had success with Bradford he did get both Panthers and Raiders to the playoffs with not the best of line ups . i had the pleasure of watching him put the boys through their paces a few times at Penrith when my son inlaw was at their . The guy is approachable , he is a coach who dosen't tolerate less 100 per cent at training . I think he might just be the man to light a fire under some of the Warriors arses , because we all know they have got some talent but they seem to turn off , or run of of steam . Iro was their mate he was never going to push them to breaking point , Elliot will i think we will see a new and way better Warriors next season ....