Season 2027 Head Coach

[gregjm87]

Then you are actually saying it's solely Benji's fault for the coaching/selections?

I don't know where the fault lies, likely multiple issues combined. Hard to pinpoint any one issue from outside the four walls.
But, yes the buck stops at Benji (and those that initially appointed him and then those that extended him and allowed him carte blanche over his coaching team).

I think it is very easy to criticise (and justified to do so). Not so easy to see a solution. People saying how about this bloke or that bloke as assistant. I don't disagree that a lot of the suggestions would improve the place. I just can't see any of them coming here to be an assistant. Similarly it appears the head coaching role is a tougher gig than most would be willing to take on. So whilst I'd be fine with a new coach, I'm just not sure of the quality we could attract.

This doesn't mean I don't think the club should look into instilling a coaching director type role or overhauling the extended coaching team with more experience. I'm just not sure how fruitful it would be.

Unfortunately, I can't offer up a solution either. In SMs position would however start with a tough conversation with Benji about his failings. Issues to address include player attitude. Are players preparing appropriately (or vaping in the gym)? Are some loud voices destabilizing the side due to only looking after their own interests (Doueihi)? Would removing these personalities help? Why can't we dominate the middle and how can this be addressed (more wrestling sessions, recruitment, overhauling defensive structures/specialist defensive coach). What value are you getting out of your assistants and what are you not getting that you need? How far off are the likes of Latu, Javon, Sakuru, Makasini etc from being reliable first graders? Do we need to recruit over them in the mean time? How much does the stink of the club hinder recruitment/retention? How can we attract players here beyond simply paying more?
There's probably dozen more questions that need addressing, this is simply what came to my head immediately.

 

[gregjm87]

I don't know where the fault lies, likely multiple issues combined. Hard to pinpoint any one issue from outside the four walls.
But, yes the buck stops at Benji (and those that initially appointed him and then those that extended him and allowed him carte blanche over his coaching team).

I think it is very easy to criticise (and justified to do so). Not so easy to see a solution. People saying how about this bloke or that bloke as assistant. I don't disagree that a lot of the suggestions would improve the place. I just can't see any of them coming here to be an assistant. Similarly it appears the head coaching role is a tougher gig than most would be willing to take on. So whilst I'd be fine with a new coach, I'm just not sure of the quality we could attract.

This doesn't mean I don't think the club should look into instilling a coaching director type role or overhauling the extended coaching team with more experience. I'm just not sure how fruitful it would be.

Unfortunately, I can't offer up a solution either. In SMs position would however start with a tough conversation with Benji about his failings. Issues to address include player attitude. Are players preparing appropriately (or vaping in the gym)? Are some loud voices destabilizing the side due to only looking after their own interests (Doueihi)? Would removing these personalities help? Why can't we dominate the middle and how can this be addressed (more wrestling sessions, recruitment, overhauling defensive structures/specialist defensive coach). What value are you getting out of your assistants and what are you not getting that you need? How far off are the likes of Latu, Javon, Sakuru, Makasini etc from being reliable first graders? Do we need to recruit over them in the mean time? How much does the stink of the club hinder recruitment/retention? How can we attract players here beyond simply paying more?
There's probably dozen more questions that need addressing, this is simply what came to my head immediately.

And then similar questions of all out going players and any current former players that will return my call.

 

[Spartan117]

Blind fans like yourself are a big part of the problem.

What Do you suggest ??

 

[Milky]

I wonder if there is any internal optimism about 2027, and where that comes from?

I shudder at the thought of us going into next season with the same squad as this year.

I cannot believe our recruitment/retention decisions.

 

[Demps]

I wonder if there is any internal optimism about 2027, and where that comes from?

I shudder at the thought of us going into next season with the same squad as this year.

I cannot believe our recruitment/retention decisions.

Well, we were going alright until injuries, to the likes or Taylan and KPP.

Madden & AD were firing as a halves pairing without Luai.

Then Luai announced his future and it all got muddy.

So I'm sure there is some internal optimism.
Our better players healthy and ready with two very decent additions in Averillo and Brailey.

Big pre season and hopefully some more incoming recruits, no need to think the worst... yet

 

[batboy]

I am looking at next year and the new Head Coach I would have liked Willie Peter's but am leaning towards
Brad Arthur I think he would be first choice then Ben Gardiner anyone else have any preference?

I rated Gardiner as well...
MMM Pod saying there was a review into his coaching after the Samoan Pacific Championships failure.

 

[batboy]

Well, we were going alright until injuries, to the likes or Taylan and KPP.

Madden & AD were firing as a halves pairing without Luai.

Then Luai announced his future and it all got muddy.

So I'm sure there is some internal optimism.
Our better players healthy and ready with two very decent additions in Averillo and Brailey.

Big pre season and hopefully some more incoming recruits, no need to think the worst... yet

We were the Dragons of this year.
Come out firing and winning games against soft opposition,
And falling in a heap once the season settles in.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

It’s very clear we are totally underfunded in the coaching and recruitment aspect of this club.

We are also a club that for whatever reason thinks our “legends” can get us out of the mess. Nostalgia for their era was almost as crap as it is now (aside from 2005 lucky run).

We have a mates club of no frills coaches in 1st grade mixed for most the season a part time coach for nsw cup.

No one knows who does the talent management and pathways development structures.

The way this club continues to run is dysfunctional and diabolical for a professional organization.

 

[Milky]

Well, we were going alright until injuries, to the likes or Taylan and KPP.

Madden & AD were firing as a halves pairing without Luai.

Then Luai announced his future and it all got muddy.

So I'm sure there is some internal optimism.
Our better players healthy and ready with two very decent additions in Averillo and Brailey.

Big pre season and hopefully some more incoming recruits, no need to think the worst... yet

Come on bro

We came 13th in 2025 with basically the same roster. We are coming 14th now with two less wins.

We also barely had any injuries in 2025.

We have had the majority of our team back for a while and we are not even competing. We're getting smashed week in week out. We have lost twice to the wooden spooners.

There are no signs of a team that will improve when we have 2 injured players back next year.

We entered this season with:

• No first choice winger, apart from Turuva.
• No first choice centre, apart from May.
• No first choice halfback.
• No back-up hooker.
• No forward depth.

Unless I have missed something, none of that has been addressed, except maybe we have bought a new center, unless he ends up in the halves who knows.

 

[Demps]

Come on bro

We came 13th in 2025 with basically the same roster. We are coming 14th now with two less wins.

We also barely had any injuries in 2025.

We have had the majority of our team back for a while and we are not even competing. We're getting smashed week in week out. We have lost twice to the wooden spooners.

There are no signs of a team that will improve when we have 2 injured players back next year.

We entered this season with:

• No first choice winger, apart from Turuva.
• No first choice centre, apart from May.
• No first choice halfback.
• No back-up hooker.
• No forward depth.

Unless I have missed something, none of that has been addressed, except maybe we have bought a new center, unless he ends up in the halves who knows.

We haven't had Taylan or KPP for a while.

Taylan came back rusty and did his shoulder again.

We've had Api > Hope > Latu & Heywood all player hooker.

I agree though, depth always been an issue.
I said last year, there's something building here, I still think there is.

We need to improve depth. As always.

But yeah, the sleeping giant.

 

[Leck]

We haven't had Taylan or KPP for a while.

Taylan came back rusty and did his shoulder again.

We've had Api > Hope > Latu & Heywood all player hooker.

I agree though, depth always been an issue.
I said last year, there's something building here, I still think there is.

We need to improve depth. As always.

But yeah, the sleeping giant.

Depth is definitely a problem. However, I also feel that Benji hasn’t played the extended bench well this season.

I think he’ll learn from the losses, but my concern will be who leaves and who comes into the squad. Jayden doesn’t give me much hope.

 

[Demps]

Depth is definitely a problem. However, I also feel that Benji hasn’t played the extended bench well this season.

I think he’ll learn from the losses, but my concern will be who leaves and who comes into the squad. Jayden doesn’t give me much hope.

Our benches have lacked a lot of punch, outside 2 players max.

Which is the depth issue.

Having guys like Hope & Murray on the bench and they don't even get minutes and probably wouldn't offer much anyway.

Solo is the interesting one, if extended.
A centre that can play backrow as well, I like what I've seen from him... could be a better option for the bench.

Im not sure if Royce is sticking around but a full impact bench of

14. Fonua
15. Hunt
16. Seyfarth
17. Saukuru

Could work....