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Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has not won against Souths' John Lang since 1994
By Tyson Otto From: The Daily Telegraph August 05, 2010 12:00AM
TIM Sheens has coached 612 games, been to 10 finals series and won four premierships.
But that impressive record doesn't stop rugby league's most experienced coach from being someone's bunny.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Sheens will have history against him when his Wests Tigers tackle South Sydney on Saturday night.
Sheens hasn't beaten Rabbitohs coach John Lang since 1994 - the year he took the Raiders to the premiership, Blue Heelers debuted on television and The Lion King was the No. 1 movie.
In that time Lang has amassed a remarkable 16 consecutive wins over his rival.
The pair have clashed 18 times in their professional coaching careers with Lang ahead 17-1.
But despite his overwhelming domination, Lang could not explain why the record was so one-sided.
"It's just a statistical anomaly," Lang said. "I don't understand how it's happened. For me it's a non-issue. You look at your opposition's players, you don't go studying a coach.
"I'm a lot more worried about Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah than I am about Tim Sheens."
Lang's traditional and purist rugby league philosophy contrasts with Sheens' expansive and constantly changing style, but Lang dismissed any suggestion his "back to basics" strategy has given him an edge.
Sheens' only victory came when the Raiders blitzed the Sharks 56-12 at Bruce Stadium in round 16 of the NSWRL premiership.
Laurie Daley, who starred in that game, said Sheens' record was only so poor because he had taken the reins at clubs with poor talent pools.
"You've got to remember that Sheens did a stint with the Cowboys when they weren't quite there as a club yet," Daley said.
"But, yeah, it's surprising that it is that one-sided."
Lang has beaten Sheens while at the helm of three different clubs - Penrith, Cronulla and South Sydney.
Former league star Scott Sattler, who played under both Sheens and Lang, said their contrasting styles were equally effective.
"I remember interviewing Langy [for Fox Sports] earlier this year after Souths put laps around them and he said he didn't feel sorry for Sheens because he thought it could happen to him just around the corner," Sattler said.
By Tyson Otto From: The Daily Telegraph August 05, 2010 12:00AM
TIM Sheens has coached 612 games, been to 10 finals series and won four premierships.
But that impressive record doesn't stop rugby league's most experienced coach from being someone's bunny.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Sheens will have history against him when his Wests Tigers tackle South Sydney on Saturday night.
Sheens hasn't beaten Rabbitohs coach John Lang since 1994 - the year he took the Raiders to the premiership, Blue Heelers debuted on television and The Lion King was the No. 1 movie.
In that time Lang has amassed a remarkable 16 consecutive wins over his rival.
The pair have clashed 18 times in their professional coaching careers with Lang ahead 17-1.
But despite his overwhelming domination, Lang could not explain why the record was so one-sided.
"It's just a statistical anomaly," Lang said. "I don't understand how it's happened. For me it's a non-issue. You look at your opposition's players, you don't go studying a coach.
"I'm a lot more worried about Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah than I am about Tim Sheens."
Lang's traditional and purist rugby league philosophy contrasts with Sheens' expansive and constantly changing style, but Lang dismissed any suggestion his "back to basics" strategy has given him an edge.
Sheens' only victory came when the Raiders blitzed the Sharks 56-12 at Bruce Stadium in round 16 of the NSWRL premiership.
Laurie Daley, who starred in that game, said Sheens' record was only so poor because he had taken the reins at clubs with poor talent pools.
"You've got to remember that Sheens did a stint with the Cowboys when they weren't quite there as a club yet," Daley said.
"But, yeah, it's surprising that it is that one-sided."
Lang has beaten Sheens while at the helm of three different clubs - Penrith, Cronulla and South Sydney.
Former league star Scott Sattler, who played under both Sheens and Lang, said their contrasting styles were equally effective.
"I remember interviewing Langy [for Fox Sports] earlier this year after Souths put laps around them and he said he didn't feel sorry for Sheens because he thought it could happen to him just around the corner," Sattler said.
