Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington revealed in a statement given out by the club yesterday that he is flying to Australia in order to continue the search for a new head coach following the stepping down of Richard Agar.
There will, of course, be speculation about who he might pick up or find along the way, but that decision will be vital for Leeds’ short-term and long-term goals.
Just which three candidates may well agree to come back with him to Super League, though?
Ryan Carr
The most obvious choice on Hetherington’s voyage to the other side of the world. Ryan Carr has already been named the favourite to take over the reins when the Australian newspaper Daily Telegraph did a story on this a week ago. Currently with the Parramatta Eels’ New South Wales Cup side, Carr earned numerous plaudits from the way in which he led the charge to almost promotion at Featherstone Rovers back in 2019. A former player for South Sydney Rabbitohs and West Tigers, Carr is now coach of Parra’s NSW Cup team and part of the first-grade coaching staff, but he may be coaxed with the promise of a head coaching gig.
Shane Flanagan
Shane Flanagan has a chequered coaching career. The veteran was head coach when the Cronulla Sharks’ doping scandal occurred back in 2016 and he subsequently went off the radar. However, the St George Illawarra Dragons recently announced that Flanagan had been signed as a list management consultant under general manager of football Ben Haran and pathways director Ian Milward. That being said, a big coaching job in Super League could well be enough for the Macedonian national coach to get back into the swing of things. It would also be a big coup for Leeds and Hetherington.
Anthony Seibold
With an interesting link to David Furner having worked with him at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Seibold did an admirable job with Bunnies, but failed miserably at the Brisbane Broncos. Last year there were rumours that he was headed to Headingley but they were denied by the club and he joined England Rugby Union as defence coach. However, Seibold returns home to Australia for some periods of the year. Seibold had spent the 2021 season helping head coach Adam O’Brien at Newcastle in a defensive role but joined England rugby union head coach Eddie Jones on a two-year deal – a contract will take him through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Would a move to Headingley suit him at this time?
Justin Morgan
One out left field, but one that has been picking up pace recently, could Justin Morgan be heading for the main job at Headingley? Morgan last coached the New Zealand Ferns side, but stepped down. However, before that, the Australian had an impressive stint as boss of Toulouse Olympique and then Hull KR with whom he enjoyed six successful years. Morgan then returned home to be the assistant coach of Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm and most recently the New Zealand Warriors. It is a surprise inclusion, but stranger things have happened.
