They are the Warriors’ two greatest ever players, and now Stacey Jones and Simon Mannering have been handed key off-field roles as the club rebuilds from the Stephen Kearney era.
Assistant coach Jones has been given a greater voice on the training paddock while Mannering will link up with club management and play a role in deciding who replaces the departed Kearney.
Experienced forward Adam Blair welcomed a more prominent role for his former New Zealand teammate Jones ahead of Friday’s match against Melbourne in Kogarah.
With Todd Payten promoted to an interim head coach role, Jones has taken on extra responsibilities, particularly with the team’s attack.
“Stace is having more of a voice, which is really good because Stace is a rugby league icon in New Zealand,” Blair said.
“He has a lot to offer and the more we can hear from Stace, especially our young boys coming through and our halves, it helps those guys out on the field.”
Blair said he initially struggled to come to terms with the axing of Kearney, a companion throughout much of his NRL and Test career.
However, he has switched focus to toppling the Storm and liked the honesty with which Payten operated in his maiden week as a first-grade head coach.
Meanwhile, Warriors chief executive Cameron George confirmed Mannering’s role in the hunt for a new coach after the former second-rower rang to volunteer his services.
Mannering, who retired in 2018, would offer a player’s perspective in helping draw up a shortlist and in making the final decision, George told NZME.
“I’m stoked Simon will be part of it – it is so important to have that footy insight,” George said.
“It’s very important to have someone with that experience involved.”
It was reported that five current players, including Blair and skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, will also be consulted.
The candidates could be finalised by next week, with former NRL coaches Tim Sheens, Anthony Griffin, Geoff Toovey and Trent Barrett reportedly in the mix, along with England coach Shaun Wane.
Magic65
Roar Rookie
Tell ya what if he aint selected :angry: ...there's gotta be an investigation into this!!!...someone's gotta be accountable for this!!! :silly:
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I know he’s not available (contracts mean everything!) but I would chase Ricky Stuart. I’ve worked and lived in NZ and my thoughts are (a) they need an Aussie coach and more Aussie/UK players, (2) They are rugby mad over there - Stuart has some cred in that game, (3) They need discipline and a coach who will stand up to the players, media and administrators, (4) Auckland and Canberra has the same weather :)
Patrick Quirke
Guest
Geoff Toovey for me. He can handle the management and players with the necessary experience and credentials. He will certainly get the best out of the players and the has the ability and runs on the board to attract quality personal from within NZ, Australia and England. The Warriors at the moment lack total professional attitude and Geoff Toovey has bundle of professional skill as a player, coach and business man. I am sure he can make the Warriors a top 5 team given the time to rebuild the necessary ground work.