Sport is often about timing, about the right man or woman at the right time and place.
The game of rugby league is no different and there are a bunch of what if scenarios we could keep ourselves awake at night thinking about where this was almost the case.
Intriguingly, one of those right time, right place situations could be brewing for Leeds Rhinos in Australia should they want to appoint former Wigan Warriors boss and Super League and cup final winning coach Michael Maguire.
Maguire has yet to lead his Wests Tigers side to a win in 2022 after a couple of difficult seasons. This has led to extra pressure on the former Wigan boss with the Sydney Morning Herald’s Andrew Webster telling Sen Radio that “he’s running out of things to say.”
There is perhaps pressure too on halfback Luke Brooks who was joined by another former Warrior in Jackson Hastings going into 2022. Denied a release as a move to Newcastle Knight loomed after Mitchell Pearce’s move to Catalans, things haven’t worked out and now there are rumours that he could be swapped for Canterbury halfback Kyle Flanagan.
This deal would also see Kyle’s father Shane – a former Leeds Rhinos coaching target – installed as Head Coach in place of Maguire according to the Daily Telegraph with the Daily Mail also echoing the rumour.
Although there have been some naysayers quashing the rumour, it’s persistence over the last few days perhaps lends it some credence and it could work out nicely for Leeds Rhinos with Gary Hetherington heading over to Australia today after last night’s 26-0 defeat to St Helens to find a new coach. Should the Rhinos have an interest in the Grand Final winning coach, these events could play into their hands.
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Harry
April 4, 2022 at 9:03 am
Hmmm. Kyle Flanagan had a few years as Cronulla’s #7 when his father was coach. He was OK but never set the world on fire. Then old-man Shane was stood down by the NRL, and replacement coach (John Morris) released Kyle. Kyle went to the prestigious Roosters, which flicked him after twelve months, presumably because they thought he wasn’t good enough). He ended up at bottom-of-the-pile Bulldogs, where he could not command a regular place in the first team last year, and hasn’t played once this year.
He is only 23, and may improve if he goes back to Reserve Grade, under a decent coach, I cannot see him being a credible replacement for Luke Brooks at the Tigers. Two reasons:
FIRST Tigers need an inspiring player to turn them round, and young Kyle, playing behind a pack that is not going forward and surrounded by people who have given up tackling, doe not look like the man.
SECOND Money! Luke Brooks is one of the half dozen highest paid players in the NRL He is on $1.1 million, by all accounts and his contract runs until the end of next season, Kyle would be on what? $300K, maybe. Canterbury will not have money under the salary cap to pick up Luke – and pay him the same money. Wests will not be prepared to subsidise him by throwing in $550K for the rest of this season, and $800K for next season. Lujke will not take a pay-cut. Why should he?
I can’t see this scenario eventuating.