i've got mixed feelings on this, the whole set up.

I'm not a massive fan of the director of rugby position, i can see why people would want it but for me, its just another person to blame when things are going wrong, and whether Chambers is the right person for this, he's very little experience at the top level having primarily specialised in Junior development so far, you would hope that would primarily be his focus, but if stuff starts going wrong his lack of experience will be attacked, and he'll be questioned about his position, and jobs for the boys etc.
Regarding burgess, for him, personally its a bit of a free hit, if he comes over and manages to to change things around, obviously thats a success, if it goes tits up, he can go back to sydney and he wont have his tail between his legs, he'll get accepted back as an assistant somewhere "it was too early" "at least he gave it a go, he'll have developed" it wont derail his career in the nrl one bit.

Its a mental appointment, it certainly is, but outside of holbrook, there was no consensus opinion on anyone else, firstly, i wouldn't want briers or monas back here as coach, the end of days for cullen besmirched his memory here, i dont want to go through that again.

within the NRL, most of the experienced options, all had the stink of failure on them, anyone that had failed as a head coach would have been on from day one, i'm not the biggest nrl fan but from looking at twitter and speaking to mates who are, anyone thats been sacked in the last 4 years has a black mark of ''AVOID' over them, even holbrook had it from some on here for his time at gold coast. and to be honest, if we did choose one of them, it would feel the same as when we signed price, he was nowhere in the list of original names and the moment we got linked with him, a lot of people got the 'sour milk' expression.

It was asked why we didn't wait, i dont think that would have made a difference, i think the above would have applied at the end of the season and theres certainly not many in SL you would opt for, plus we would have missed out on potential for recruitment for next year.


Fingers crossed though, it all comes together, now the wire.

I don't think we can compare Holbrook with Price now. Holbrook has a track record of success in the UK achieving in 2 years what Price could not do in 4. He would have been my first choice, and he looks like it was the owners' first choice too.

Anyway Burgess it is, who knows what can happen. Certainly be interesting and all we can do is get right behind him.

Big raps from Freddy and Joey Johns on Sam this morning. Think it’s about time people got off the toxic train and gave him a chance. The guy is a champion.

It didn't happen like this. A big clue in your synopsis is the word 'apparently.' Nothing changed in 24 hours. So a bit of perspective of what's happened is probably needed ...........

Holbrook and his Manager were very honest in the meeting with Warrington. He told the club he was very flattered with the offer, but his wife & family were firmly against a move to the Uk again, but he'd ask her out of respect to Warrington as he wanted the move. His Manager then leaked the offer to the Oz press and used us to get a better offer for his client. An annoyingly good move for Holbrook.

The rumour mill then went in to over-drive with the usual exaggerations and added info that comes with Wire related news. I've never had as many messages on here so quickly telling me they'd heard Holbrook had signed with details of his deal, how many years etc all from 'a very reliable source.' For a split second I was believing it myself, and then remembered it wasn't true as he'd turned down the offer.

What I can't get my head around is the booking of the flights, which is absolutely true. But then knowing what I know about how the club has been run over the past couple of years it shouldn't have come as a surprise.

You make some good points in your post FMC.
But on the whole my position has shifted this week from incredulity to quietly excited. Based on the latest feedback it looks like Burgess is asking the right questions and demanding the right information.
When he comes over in a few months he'll already be up and running.

The spec of the DOR job is not clear to me, neither is the reporting structure so difficult to comment on Chambers suitability, but he does know the club and may well provide a good sounding board for SB.
It is important though that KF doesn't unduly muddy the waters.

My image is that a typical DOR needs a wider experience but we'll see.

I think we may be better off not knowing, and assuming a slick, well oiled machine.

When you say "well oiled"..........

When I read this it took me straight to the Monty Python Australian Table Wine sketch, particularly the Perth Pink and the Cuiver Reserve Chateau Bottled Nuit Sans....

Our next Messiah coach could well be Monty Python's Brian.

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy, ask his missus.

We couldn't get Bwian released from his current contract.

I hope you will be getting a season ticket Dave ! ?

love rugby league (for what it’s worth) are saying no - he’s going as assistant to Applegarth at Wakey.

How come Long has been sacked from Featherstone if they are playing well ?

Love Rugby League are saying it’s a coincidence he got sacked around the same time we announced Sam and he’s actually going to Wakey. So I expect he’s being dropped off at the HJ round about….now!

And if he fails, it'll be

"Crucifixion?
Out of the door.
Line on the left.
One cross each"

true but for some people, you're only as good as your last job, so thats what i was thinking before.

Long has just been announced as assistant at Wakey for the rest of this season and next so you can rule him out as being assistant next year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/66455513

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/66455513

So we know the coach, we know Marshall is continuing as a 1st team coach. We know now that Long is not the 2nd one coming in so any guesses as to the 2nd is then.

It’s a hail mary appointment.

"We've got to try something different," Middleton told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"We've been there, we've tried that [with more experienced coaches and it's not worked.

Appoint someone good who’s experienced then. Powell and price were meh.

This is just bad decision making.

whom do you have in mind?

A Hail Mary of Wellens and Frayssinous

Snowball fight chance in hell springs to mind, besides I'm a starving pensioner. How's your scooter going ? I've got one now, see you outside Wilkos with the rest of us physical wrecks

Winner
Leader
Actually played rugby at the highest level for most of his career
Motivator
Respected
Hard as bloody nails.
Burgess will come with all of this baggage... Go the 'Wire'!