Catalans aside, McNamara's tenure at Bradford has quite a lot in common with the final years of Brian Mac at Leeds (minus the trophies). Bradford were still spending full cap when McNamara was in charge, and whilst their financial woes ultimately did for their stay in SL, McNamara's time handling the pressure at a big club with expectations is hardly a ringing endorsement for him taking on another pressure job. He might be a better coach now than in 2009, but still...

More than likely but as in most cases the minority shout louder than the majority. There has to be a reason behind the quality of NRL players Leeds are able to attract these days?

This is the by far the biggest club in SL but that is not reflected in the quality of player it attracts from the NRL:

Miller - 29 - played 19 games in the NRL
Momirovski - 27 - played 60 NRL games with 5 different clubs
Faustitua - 29 - played 108 games - had significant injury problems which is a factor in the warriors let him go
Frawley - 29 - 50 games in NRL - was a disaster at the Giants - why?
Lisone 30 - 120 NRL games

Is this the best Leeds can attract - if so why?

2009 is a very long time ago to be fair

The quality of all imports from the NRL to SL has fallen off a cliff

Theres a lot of luck now involved imo

Theyre either old and at the end of their career or younger and not getting into nrl sides

Who would you retain?

I hope that second part is wrong

Me too.

He has done a good job with Catalans but could see him being a disaster if he came to Leeds.

Mickey Mac assistant as defence coach (imagine)

HANDLEY
CROFT
ACKERS
OCONNER
OLEDSKI
MARTIN
BENTLEY
SINFIELD
MCDONELL
SMITH
WATTON
EDGELL
SIMPSON

That would mean getting rid of about 15 players from the squad?

It’s not viable and would set us back further

Why ain't he scarpered yet!!

Handley
Newman but with a big boot up his backside
Edgell
Mik - another who needs to improve
Bentley
Johnson
O'Connor
Croft
Akers
Martin
Smith - but not as a ball playing 13
Holroyd - but needs to improve his fitness/stamina/explosiveness
3/4 youngsters TNW, Ruan, Simpson, Lumb

Looks like he read my post earlier https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... 1718639603

Looks like he read my post earlier https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... 1718639603

Compare to Saints;

Blake 178 NRL first grade games
Hurrell 117 NRL first Grade games
Mbye 198 NRL first Grade games
Paasi 109 NRL first Grade games
Sironen 133 NRL first Grade games
Mata’utia 125 NRL first Grade games
Bell 2 NRL first grade games

… okay Bell is an outlier, but it’s a myth you can’t sign experienced NRL players.

Rohan Smith took control of the first team training session as normal this morning, I've been told Paul Rowley however has been contacted regarding the head coaches position and that Rowley has been in contact with his former players Brodie Croft & Andy Ackers over the last week or so. Everyone knows Rohan is pretty much gone it's just a matter of time with the next game being dedicated to Rob Burrow and MND awareness it could maybe keep Rohan Smith in place until after this game and going into the international break the week after we could have a new coach at the helm whether it's Rowley or someone else only time will tell.

If RS is still in charge and Fridays performance is anything like that on Saturday then the atmosphere will turn. If RS is on borrowed time it makes little sense to keep him across next weekend. Of course, a repeat of Saturday will, or should, also turn the spotlight onto the players too.

Thanks for the update. Hope this happens ASAP.

I hope so too.
He is one coach I would not want at HQ and don`t think for one minute he will get too much out of our current squad.

With plenty of financial clout thrown at the squad.

I would find it very difficult to go and watch Leeds with McNamara in charge.

McNamara wouldn't be any kind of statement either. Rowley would, at least internally, because players would know he'd have the backing of Blease. But if we're going to make a change we need to try and get the absolute best we can. If that's Rowley then fine, but I'd at least talk to Arthur and test the waters around the NRL for other potential coaches as well, because we cannot afford to screw this up again. If we get it wrong we'll be having these same arguments in two years.

Must have been a historic occasion as it does not look like he has ever done this before.

If those fans can’t control themselves for one game dedicated to Rob then I despair.