The news that Nathan Brown has signed as the New Zealand Warriors 2021 head coach is one positive, out of a season that has challenged the club and fan base.
Even while the side achieved back-to-back wins after a 22-26 win over Manly on Friday, the changes in management added to the side having to migrate to Australia for the Coronavirus affected 2020 season.
Brown’s signing comes also on the back of news that Phil ‘Gus’ Gould will be brought into the Vodafone Warriors organization as Director of Football. To advise the club on its guidance, operations, and players.
Gould, the former NRL Premiership winning coach will be based in Australia; and while travel between the two nations is still out of the question, expect Nathan Brown to be one of the first to fly to Auckland. He and Gould will add plenty of value to the club, who have still to complete their 2020 season under interim coach, Todd Payten.
Nathan Brown appointed as head coach from 2021READ bit.ly/3fG3in1
Posted by Vodafone Warriors on Friday, August 7, 2020
Nathan Brown signed as NZ Warriors 2021 head coach
The 47-year-old former St George Illawarra and Newcastle coach has been secured on a three-year deal to the end of the 2023 NRL season.
Warriors CEO Cameron George had been canvassing potential coaches, since Stephen Kearney was abruptly fired mid-season. A replacement would need to be based in Auckland, which was one of the reasons that previously, Nathan Brown had not applied for the role.
However, with reconsideration, Brown made contact with NZ Warriors chairman and owner Mark Robinson. The two spoke and with input from George, the former Super League and NRL coach was shoulder tapped for the position.
“Nathan’s a terrific person who brings tremendous qualities to the role in every sense”. George added in the media statement, “He already has a relationship with our players, football staff, and our club after being with us as a coaching consultant working with our hookers this season.”
Brown’s association with the Warriors a good baseline
Nathan Brown already has the relationship, so his role has a good baseline to build from. “I spent time in Auckland during the preseason and was really impressed with the whole set-up, the players and the staff throughout the organization.
“The Vodafone Warriors are hugely important to the competition. We’ve seen that this year with the sacrifices they’ve made to keep the NRL going. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
His time at Mt Smart Stadium as the new head coach is still to begin, but his input will bring a fresh viewpoint from what Kearney and what Payten is currently providing. The Warriors could still reach the top 8 yet it has been a trying year so far. Fresh voices would be well received.
Another fresh and respected voice, will be that of phil Gould.
#Breaking: It’s official League fans.
The Warriors have signed former Knights coach Nathan Brown to a three year deal starting in 2021, with Origin and Premiership winning coach Gus Gould as director of football. #SportsTalkNZ #NRL #LetsGoneWarriors #LeagueTalk pic.twitter.com/CYX3aQelzq— SportsTalkNZ (@Sports_Talk_NZ) August 6, 2020
The director of Football role is designed to utilize the leading rugby league powerbroker Phil Gould’s appointment as a club-wide consultant.
George said, “This appointment is exceptionally significant and critical to the future of our business as a whole and equally to the game in general both in New Zealand and in Australia.”
Gould himself has many other roles yet, his input will be highly respected.“There’s no question this is an exciting challenge,” said Gould. “The owner’s Mark (Robinson) and Rob (Croot) and Cameron George have a real passion for rugby league and they’re highly motivated to build the Vodafone Warriors into a powerful club over the coming years.”
Those are the goals for these two appointments. NZ Warriors fans will have to decide for themselves if these new voices are what is best for the club. Qualified yet so too are many back in New Zealand. Provided Brown surrounds himself with existing and inspirational Kiwi figures, then he should find success back leading an NRL club’s goal of claiming their maiden Telstra Premiership.
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