Simmons and Saints go their separate ways

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/17428568

A kneejerk reaction imo

Slighly surprised at the timing. Thought they'd have waited till the end of the season given that there first choice is Nathan Brown, and i can't see Huddersfield letting him go now without a big compensation cheque.

I was a bit surprised too but for me Saints have struggled in defence since he took over and thats strange for an Aussie coach. Saints have always had firepower but defence will win you games, I know they got to the grand final last year but they never really showed that steel in defence like Leeds, Wigan and even Warrington have done over the last couple of years.

Apparently, according to sources down under Mal Meninga is thought to be about to throw his hat into the ring for the Saints job.

Meninga would be a decent shout , i had heard that St's may go for Cunningham/Sculthorpe combination

Would they be willing to leave Cunningham and Rush in charge until the end of the season and getting Brown when he is off contract?

tigerrobins wrote:Apparently, according to sources down under Mal Meninga is thought to be about to throw his hat into the ring for the Saints job.

I would be surprised if Mal was seriously interested in the job, as he has a very successful business in Australia and has a great job as Queensland head coach.

There are a lot of roumours going around that Daniel Anderson will take charge until the end of the season until Nathan Brown has left the Giants.

If Nathan Brown is Saints choice then why not just leave Cunningham in charge for this season ? He has the full respect of the dressing room and would certainly get then into the playoffs

They could do that but it would be safer to go with Anderson if he wanted it until the end of the season, he is a proven coach and is highly regarded at Saints.

Not sure Anderson wants the job though

tigerrobins wrote:Apparently, according to sources down under Mal Meninga is thought to be about to throw his hat into the ring for the Saints job.

Was he that tree of a winger for the Aussies back in the 80's and 90's?

eirebilly wrote:

tigerrobins wrote:Apparently, according to sources down under Mal Meninga is thought to be about to throw his hat into the ring for the Saints job.

Was he that tree of a winger for the Aussies back in the 80's and 90's?

Yes he was , he had a season as a player with Saints in the 80's . Huge guy

Yeah i remember him then, he was also a goal kicker wasnt he?

Yes he was and good at it aswell for a toe prodder

Yeah thats right, he was a toe punter. One of the last i ever saw

What are the plans for Royce Simmons now? I am a huge advocate of RL coaches in union so i would have him join the Irish set up as a defensive line coach.

Not sure whats next for Simmons , but hes a good coach so should get another job no problem .

Saints should of given him more time imo , but then they are not used to being so low in the table and with the new ground they need that sorting sooner rather then later to keep the attendances up

Fair enough, i dont follow RL that much. Just watch it when the big matches are on.

Saints are expected in the next couple of days to announce Nathan Brown as there next coach. Hardly suprising.

With Nathan Brown now confirmed on a 3 year contract , does anyone think he will go back to Huddersfield for some of their players ?

He has put together a good side at Huddersfield and seems to have got the best out players like Danny Brough , Luke Robinson , Leroy Cudjoe and Kevin Brown , so will he look at bringing any of them with him to Saints ?

To be honest Kenny, i can see him going after Cudjoe & possably George if Meli goes, the only other player is Eaden, who is apparently an outstanding talent.
Saints are covered at half back and hooker so don't think he'll go for Brough etc.

Eirebilly
Ireland rugby already has a rugby League coach as their defensive coach, Les Kiss.