Tim Sheens has resigned as Australia’s national coach to take over as full-time director of rugby with English Super League club Salford.
Sheens guided Australia to victory at the 2013 World Cup, but the 64-year-old has spent the past two months working at Salford on a short-term advisory basis at the invitation of owner Marwan Koukash, and has now decided to make the role permanent.
The former Canberra, Wests Tigers and North Queensland boss agreed a three-year contract.
“Now we’ve survived successfully in Super League, I’ve had a good talk with the family and to Marwan,” Sheens said.
“He offered me a three-year deal and we’ve accepted it.
“So I’ve resigned from the Australian group and I’ll be ready to start in November.”
Sheens could not stop Salford finishing in the Super League’s bottom four this season, but after head coach Iestyn Harris left he assisted Ian Watson as they secured a top-flight place for next term by finishing third in the qualifiers.
He had been in charge of Australia since 2008 when he succeeded Ricky Stuart after their shock World Cup final defeat to New Zealand, and guided them to 26 wins in his 31 matches.
However, Sheens was not expected to be re-appointed in November after they lost three consecutive Tests to the Kiwis and with it the world No.1 ranking.
Sheens has announced that Watson, who has been acting head coach since the departure of Harris two months ago, will remain in charge of the team, with assistance from Martin Gleeson and Garreth Carvell.
“It is a move in a slightly different direction for me,” Sheens said.
“I will be involved in the coaching, but I’m not the senior coach, that will be Watto and I will be assisting him.
“He’s done a great job in the Middle 8s and he should take all the credit for the club surviving in Super League.
“I’ll be a sounding board for him and help him where I can.”
Eddie
Guest
SO THERE.
Mat D
Guest
GEOFF TOOVEY IS ALREAD THE FRONT RUNNER FOR THE JOB. DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WRITE IT HERE FIRST. HIS PASSION FOR THE GAME AND EXPERIENCE AS A PLAYER ARE GREAT REFERENCE POINTS. WHEN HIS APPOINTMENT IS DISCUSSSED ON THIS FORUM IT WILL BE ENLIGHTENING TO READ THE COMMENTS. GOOD YEARS AHEAD FOR THE "KANGAROOS".
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Toovey is probably the most viable candidate of the current choices with recent NRL coaching experience, and no recent ties to either state of origin side as a coach.
robbo
Guest
Love to see Cam Smith as captain coach
Samtwocan
Guest
I think Tooves is a chance . Mal would be spot on . Don't know that Laurie has proven he deserves it .
Muzz
Guest
Sure.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Can I work from home?
Niall
Guest
Kangaroos will only need a coach if they play some games. It'll be interesting to see the next squad they pick. Some of the selections over the last couple of years have been bizarre.
Muzz
Guest
Not for us. Next hit out is the Anzac Day Test. Do you want the job?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Are there any international games left this year?
Muzz
Guest
Worlds easiest gig. Give it to Meninga who can work it into his gruelling origin schedule. WTF do these guys do for 11 months of the year?
James T
Guest
If they want a stand alone coach there aren't a lot of quality options, tooves is probably about it. Personally I reckon mal and Laurie should be co coaches. If it goes to an nrl coach I'd probably go with dessie. At the moment who needs a coach, just appoint cam smith captain/coach
Don
Roar Rookie
Geoff Toovey.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Won't they be coaching the jets nrl team?
Jay C
Roar Guru
The Walkers!
Emcie
Roar Guru
So who coaches Australia now? I honestly can't think of anyone
Jay C
Roar Guru
Great move for Australia.
Richard Maybury
Guest
Probably a good move for Sheensy and Salford need the help.