NRL Round 7 Team Lists Late Mail: Dolphins get exemption plus Wayne now in doubt, star Rooster out
The Dolphins have again been given permission by the NRL to go outside their top 30 in order to field a team, as coach…
Todd Payten has set his sights on coaching North Queensland after turning down the Warriors’ offer to lead the Auckland-based NRL club full-time.
The interim Warriors coach wants to remain in Australia long-term for family reasons.
“There’s another opportunity that’s on the table. That is the Cowboys,” Payten told NRL 360.
“I’m not in any process at the moment, they’re just aware of my interest.”
Payten has been temporarily in charge of the Warriors since Steven Kearney was sacked last month.
But being based in Auckland long-term isn’t an option for the 41-year-old and his wife, whose father is battling cancer.
“My wife’s father just started chemotherapy,” Payten said.
“That was at the forefront of our mind. Obviously with the COVID thing, for her to travel back and forth is very, very difficult.
“That was a big part of it. That’s my decision and I’ve made it.
“It was tough for everyone. The club was shocked and disappointed.
“Moving forward, my focus is on getting the side prepared from week to week.”
The Warriors last month knocked back interest from former Manly coach Geoff Toovey and brothers Ben and Shane Walker.
Payten will lead the 12th-placed Warriors in their round-13 battle with Manly on Friday night.
The former Wests Tigers, Raiders and Roosters forward was an assistant at North Queensland before moving to the Warriors.
Former Cowboys coach Paul Green walked away from the role last month, leaving Josh Hannay to take the helm for the remainder of the 2020 season.
© AAP
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The Dolphins have again been given permission by the NRL to go outside their top 30 in order to field a team, as coach…
A draw? Nobody saw that coming last weekend, especially not Anthony Seibold with his Manly side up by eight with less than two minutes…
NRL signings, contracts and rosters for the 2024 season.
Andrew Johns thought he came up with a smart piece of analysis, only to be taken down by the Raiders halfback, then his own…
With Joey Manu on his way out the door at the Roosters to take up a lucrative rugby union offer, don't expect Trent Robinson…