For a side that has consistently underperformed over the years, there seems no more fitting appointment than Nathan Brown as coach of the New Zealand Warriors.
Brown will take on the role in 2021, after he signed a three-year deal with the club over the weekend.
It was a seemingly quick appointment for the role where the likes of Geoff Toovey didn’t even get an interview.
For those who may have forgotten, here is a refresher for Brown’s coaching record in the NRL:
• 245 games
• 104 wins
• One draw
• 42 per cent winning record
In his nine years of coaching in the NRL, Brown made the finals four times. Let’s not forget he also won successive wooden spoons with Newcastle in 2016 and 2017.
Yes, that’s right folks, a man with consecutive wooden spoons beat out another former coach, who in his first three years at Manly took them to:
• One preliminary final
• One grand final
• One semi-final
So why did the Warriors appoint Brown? As he said in his goodby press conference last year with the Knights, he helps the battlers. The teams that need to form those foundations for success. And while that’s all well and good, is it his coaching that provides that platform?
Newcastle this year are miles ahead of what Brown had them at in his four years. And while it may seem cruel to compare this team to his wooden spoon sides of 2016-17, a case can still be made.
The years 2018 and 2019 were meant to successful for Newcastle but while they would start well, they flamed out in both years. The mental fortitude wasn’t there and that was on the coach.
Knights players celebrate the win after Mitchell Pearce scores a field goal (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
However, this year’s side is different – they are not only more capable of playing finals footy, they believe it as well.
New coach Adam O’Brien has entrusted his team with more ownership and more guidance. Look at the development of David Klemmer with a new-found freedom in offloading the ball. Kurt Mann, a player trapped by his own utility value, looked to languish between reserve grade and the number 14 jersey before O’Brien placed faith with him in the five-eighth role. Before injuries forced him into the dummy half position, he was easily Newcastle’s best player all year. That development was never shown under Brown
Right now, the Warriors represent a hugely talented squad but lack a hard edge to contest for finals football. Interim coach Todd Payten has them performing admirably amidst trying conditions, where they have left their families and have had to field opposing players in their squad. Captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck leads the charge and guys like Tohu Harris, Eliese Katoa and Peta Hiku are not too far behind.
But with the era of Brown about to begin, it seems inevitable the Kiwis will revert back to their ways of showing potential early on before failing to make the top eight. Sounds strangely similar to the Knights team of old.
After years of disappointment and underachieving in the Hunter, why do the Warriors think Brown is the right man? He left the Knights in a better position than when he arrived, but they still failed to deliver on promise and potential.
It’s stupid and reckless to hire Brown just to fill in for three years until a more successful coach walks in, but that’s what we’ve come to expect from the Warriors now. They’re a club with so much promise yet they continue to fail.
And it seems with Nathan Brown’s looming appointment that trend will continue.
Micko
Roar Rookie
It hasn’t stopped the NZ Breakers from enjoying lots of success either.
The Warriors need to leave that dump called Mt Smart, and go to Eden Park, and make it the place to be seen on a Friday or Sat night (post covid of course). If that means pink gin swillers, so be it. They don't have to forget about their working class roots, but they do need to embrace more of what the corporate dollar can provide.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Just might give them some passion
Who's Zoomin who? (as Aretha said)
So true. A 19 year old first grade rookie, that spend the first 15 years of his life in NZ, is a fair dinkum NZ'er. 4 years versus 15 years? How can you call these lads anything other than NZ'ers the Warriors missed the boat on...
Not as much a Religion as it used to be. When we lost to England in WC last year, the public acceptance of it was a shocking eye opener for me. Rugby is no longer untouchable in NZ. A number of young Warriors have turned their back on Yawnion recently. The young Katoa fella being one of them.
They need Gould because young Warriors players will look up to him as a bit of a RL God, much like the Kiwis did to Bennett in 2008.
Toovs personality fit the Warriors? He a really grumpy little fella.... Im not sure about The Milky Bar Kid. He might be yet another disaster, but then again has he learnt from his mistakes at Knights? Not prepared to write him off yet...
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
agree with Micko, Jacko (Micko Jacko? :happy: ) look at the Crusaders in the Super Rugby 2011; spent virtually the entire season on the road which included a game in Dunedin one week then playing the Sharks (RSA) the next weekend in London! Teams can adapt; they should be able to since they are supposed to be fit. Adapting to travel is a mental thing as well; Crusaders have no problems there, Warriors very much so.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Just imagine if owners held the players to account as often as they do coaches!
Nick
Roar Guru
Lighten up Noosa. I'm not the one so shallow I need to name drop to prove my credentials. I can't be held responsible for the fact that you had to.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Goose, you are such a nasty piece of work you really are. If you want to quote me, quote me but please do not make things up to suit your own self importance, for you think you know everything about everything. Quote: "My late father knew Nick Politis and I have met the man" Whats more I stated that once...you are truly a nasty person.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
The appointment of Seibold isn’t even the most shocking aspect really. Sacking the foundation coach to ensure they got him was borderline disgraceful.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure if Green is an automatic pick tbh. He’d be in the running but imo someone like Walters would be just as serious a contender with the current culture issues the club is having. This is of course assuming he sacks Seibold (although at this point I wouldn’t be surprised if the South’s game ended up being his last). He very well could opt to keep him on another year with an eye towards Bellamy for 2022. Of course Bellamy reckons he’s going to retire after every game these days (real Larry David complex he has) I’d be surprised if next year ended up being his swansong even if they won a premiership.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Tbf though they’ve had some ripe proper turnover at Ipswich. It would be hard to run a successful program year in year out when your team is getting gutted constantly. However the point is valid. No current NRL side wants to take that risk. Imo an expansion side that’s more worried about marketability than instant success would be their most likely route to the NRL.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
started a construction company that went broke But he has Kent and Rothfield pushing his barrow, and they have a great track record, e.g. Todd Greenburg, Tony Zappia, Roy Spagnolo
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Well tbf letting a good player like RTS or Pearce leave only to pick up literally the best players in those positions might have something to do with it.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Does Seibold have more success than Arthur or Cleary? He has two final appearances and likely one future wooden spoon. Cleary has a GF appearance and Arthur has a handful of finals games (although he also has his fair share of spoons as well. 2 is it?)
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
SG ,I think there needs to be a enquiry into that!!
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
There’s that one time he helped out the NZ national side.