Two losses in three years was enough to dump Ricky Stuart as Australian coach.
So after three defeats in seven months – all of them against the Kiwis – current Kangaroos mentor Tim Sheens is likely to have coached his last Test too.
After losing just once in his first 26 games in charge of the national team, Sunday’s 26-12 capitulation against New Zealand in Brisbane means veteran mentor Sheens has tasted defeat in three of Australia’s past five Tests.
Worst of all, the loss has opened the door for the Kiwis to poach number one spot on the Rugby League International Federation rankings when the Four Nations champions meet England in a three-Test series later this year.
Meanwhile the Kangaroos’ next Test is not for another 12 months, but Sheens admitted after the match that “scrutiny will be on everyone” until then.
He refused to comment on any discussion regarding his own post, but the question needs to be asked: Who’s next?
The obvious candidates are the State of Origin coaches, Mal Meninga and Laurie Daley, while Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has been mentioned as a possible candidate as well. NSW City Origin coach Brad Fittler could also be an outside chance.
Meninga’s credentials are undeniable after helping the Maroons to a record eight straight Origin series wins from 2006-13, while his interstate rival led the Blues to their drought-breaking series win last year.
However, either man who almost certainly have to quit their state post if handed the national team job.
Bellamy has already indicated that the 2016 NRL season will be his last, potentially making the 2012 premiership-winning coach free to take over the reins before the next World Cup.
Sheens’ overall record as Australian coach currently stands at 26 wins, four losses, and one draw, including the 2009 and 2011 Four Nations titles, and the 2013 World Cup.
The candidates
Mal Meninga – 27 games as Queensland coach for 18 wins, 9 losses (2006-14) including eight series wins; 138 games as Canberra coach for 74 wins, 62 losses, 2 draws (1997-2001).
Laurie Daley – Six games as NSW coach for three wins, three losses (2013-14) including one series win; Six games as NSW Country Origin coach for three wins, two losses, one draw (2008-13).
Craig Bellamy – 345 games as Melbourne coach for 229 wins, 114 losses two draws (2003-) including one premiership; Nine games as NSW coach for two wins, seven losses (2008-10), no series wins; Three games as NSW Country coach for one win, two losses (2005-07).
Brad Fittler – 60 games as Sydney Roosters coach for 25 wins, 34 losses, one draw (2007-09); Four games as NSW City coach for one win, two losses, one draw (2012-15).
Brad. H
Guest
Well you all may think I'm crazy but I recon "The World's Most Angry Man" for Kangaroo coach. Give the gig to Toovey , you will never find more passionate about league man and he just might need the job soon ;-)
Gav
Guest
Nothing at Rep level to suggest Belamy should be considered. He didn't do well with NSW. I think club coaching and rep are quite different
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
More than Origin being downgraded, I just want to see internationals given their due. When that happens, their potential will be realised and Origin will naturally be downgraded.
Brendan
Guest
How is he the best coach? He has had 3 once in a lifetime players at his beck and call his entire career. He had an illegal playing roster for various points too and arguably should have won more premierships than he did when you factor that in. For mine Hasler is the best coach in the game. Madge and Robinson arent far behind Bellamy and Bennett come after that.
Nola Dell
Guest
An accurate comment. They displayed their bias when they left him off the immortals list despite his incredible record that is probably better than most on that list.
Nola Dell
Guest
I don't agree with you on Mal, he has a proven record of putting everything into what he has done in league. What I would like to see though, is SOO to be downgraded to maybe one a year and more internationals played including the Pacific island groups and PNG. Perhaps more reaching out to other smaller nations to bolster the sport.
Nola Dell
Guest
Yeah good for you, he is a boring clown at that. Why do we have to listen to his dreary love in with Ray Warren every week. Time they were pensioned off to a consulting role and some more interesting commentators put in.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm glad you mentioned that. You are exactly right when you say that if it doesn't fit in with what they expect to happen or what is supposed to happen. It's a big issue when it comes to commentary and those that fall for it don't themselves any favours in the professionalism stakes.
Ra
Guest
RIP Tim Sheens thanks for the humility bro !! On the South Pacific nations international rugby league's ANZAC commemoration weekend May 1-3 a great ambassador of the games Australian coaching future was probably put to rest too. The Aussie rugby league got rid of an embarrassment when they dumped Ricky Stuart I'm afraid. Outrageous physical expressions such as his captured and wired all around the world is not what Australia or rugby league want from its top fronts-men these days. Sheens was the man in the right place to restore the international credibility to the top job. And he did. He is a great coach. His record says so. His quiet persona is the image Aussie league wanted, no needed; to be portrayed to the world. Sheens, humble when victorious, the same in defeat. It matched the demeanour of top coaches around the world now a days, especially that of his Kiwis opposite, the hulking Steve Kearney. Sheens always showed to the world his soft side, despite this being a hard confrontationally physically sapping game, that also showed abundance of flair and finesse. The players may have seen his icy glare or felt the cutting edge of his tongue, but we the non-Aussie supporting public did not. Tim Sheens, a nice guy it seems, in a blood sport of titans, but sadly Kiwis & Tigers hard man Marty Taupau overtly signalled to his club's former mentor, his future at the top, was already cut n dried, with his now famous thumb raking cut across the throat in an act of defiance after being subjected to the infamous grapple tackle by Aussie tough guy Slammin Sam Thaiday in the first half of the match. The symbolic cut throat may mean a lot of things to different people, but in player language it mean "BRING IT ON Bro GAME ON !!!!!" And for Sheens and his great team of Kangaroos superstars, on ANZAC Centenary Year it signalled, the end of an era and a probable Changing of the Guard. Tim Sheens bro, thanks for the humility !!
woodart
Guest
it doesnt matter who the coach is when the team only plays one game a year, thats a joke and is one very big reason why the aussie team is going backwards. you cant get combinations working with 2 practises before a test match.
Adsa
Guest
Anderson & Hagan would be good, I am not sold on the young names mentioned in this list, Barrett , jeez Johnno wouldn't you rather see him coach in NRL first?
matth
Guest
Not the worst idea in the world
matth
Guest
Just who I was thinking of. And maybe Daniel Anderson could be worth a look.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Mal has had the easiest coaching gig in Rugby League by getting the QLD SOO job. The players pick themselves and play themselves. I wont be sold on him until i see him have a challenging role.
Johnno
Guest
Does anyone here remember how bad Freddy was as head coach at the Roosters? No one here has mentioned Ivan Cleary, find that surprising. Nathan Brown would have to be a contender too
Training Wheels
Guest
Mal is having too good a time looking after QLD and PNG. There is only one real candidate (The Fat Yeah! Yeah! ) Fatty Vautin for the (Pep Talk) Senior Coach role with Sterlo as (Strategist) Assistant Coach and (No! No! No!) Phil Gould to carry the equipment.
Renegade
Guest
"Im not sold on Bellamy" That will do me.... he is best coach going around by a long way - just look at the way he turns mediocre footballers into stars. P.S. - no one would've been able to coach the Blues to victory the years Bellamy was in charge.
The eye
Guest
Bellys been great at the Storm,hes had shots elsewhere but not got much silverware..Tooves looks like being hooked at Manly he ought to throw his hat in the ring..Matt Parish has got Samoa looking good since hes been in charge too
Brendan
Guest
Im not sold on Bellamy, he failed to get the NSW team to gel and win the series and some say his style of coaching is more suited to week in week out footy than a rep game where the coach needs to motivate more than discipline.. Why are we not considering the younger coaches coming through? Robinson and Maguire are the 2 best young coaches around. Just because they do a club gig why should we not look at them for the top job if they are indeed the best? Hasler is another that could do a great job
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sorry, I can't buy that. If the player is injured, stand him down and find someone else. You certainly don't cancel an international tournament because of it. The fact he couldn't think that far is not encouraging.