Quote Nankivell="Nankivell"Typical Aussie coach wants to fill his team with antipodeans. Also typical rugby league short term thinking which will result in the young, up and coming lads getting no game time at an appropriate standard.
It's the sport I love but I despair at its inability to see past the end of its own nose.'"
Firstly, I don't think he is a typical Aussie coach because he has served a lengthy apprenticeship as an assistant and has coached younger players,in England,over many years.
His first signing,more or less,has been Andrew Dixon,and a fine signing he is.( In my opinion - and he is young and English )
If we take the Widnes example,where they had to wait 3 years for a Super League licence and told to improve their youth system,their squad now includes several antipodeans.The Under 20's - which came about after the 2008 World Cup has now been considered an unsatisfactory way to prepare for Super League.What happens after the autumn world cup is anyone's guess.
The backroom staff are antipodean and have the contacts to allow the club instant access to players who the club require on the hurry-up due to departures,injuries,and playing standards.
The club may also encounter the problem of offloading some players now that Super League players are on dual registration with Championship clubs.Our contact with Oldham may become more helpful if they get promoted.
The Forever Reds meeting on Monday night with the new chief exec. may answer some of the questions.
Oh,and the coach has brought in a young Welshman and an Englishman on,and given them game time.