NRL coaches on under pressure to keep their jobs as rumours fly
Pressure is mounting on a handful of NRL coaches, with disappointing defeats in round 13 leaving their finals hopes, and their jobs, hanging in the balance.
The make-up of the NRL's top eight is still anyone's guess but the finals race is beginning to take shape following a topsy-turvy start to the NRL season.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
The Dragons, Knights, Sea Eagles and Cowboys all suffered tough losses this weekend, leaving them on the outside of the top eight midway through the State of Origin period.
Cronulla defeated St George Illawarra 30-18 on Thursday, with the loss increasing pressure on coach Shane Flanagan to demote his son, halfback Kyle Flanagan.
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis told Triple M on Sunday: 'What's going to happen is it's going to be his job or Kyle's. You can keep giving him a go and it can be your job in the end.'
James Graham said earlier this weekend: 'The elephant in the room is the coach's son.'
Flanagan is in his second season of his three-year deal as he looks to improve results and roster at St George Illawarra, which saw Valentine Holmes, Damien Cook and Clint Gutherson join in the off-season.
Newcastle let a first half lead slip against the Roosters on Saturday night, with a late try to Siu Wong enough to get the Tricolours the victory.
It was a ninth loss of the season for Newcastle as pressure on coach Adam O'Brien builds with each defeat.
O'Brien is contracted until the end of 2027 and would receive a massive payout of around $2 million if he is sacked by the Knights.
Elsewhere, Manly coach Anthony Seibold has escaped the scrutiny for much of his tenure but his position will come under question following the dire 28-8 loss to the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night.
The Sea Eagles looked hapless against the Titans as Des Hasler claimed a much needed win against his former side.
The horror loss was compounded when Haumole Olakau'atu suffered a dislocated shoulder — the star forward is facing an extended stint on the sidelines.
Daly Cherry-Evans was well below his best in attack but according to Code Sports, of greater concern is Manly's 'attitude problem' in defence, with 34 tackles missed against the Titans.
Manly have a bye before a stretch of games against teams including the Rabbitohs, Storm Bulldogs and Raiders — meaning Seibold is staring down the barrel of missing finals twice in his three seasons in charge.
Greg Alexander said on Fox League post-game: 'Manly have got some work to do now, they really do.'
Seibold is contracted until the end of 2027, but veteran NRL reporter Phil Rothfield believes rugby league's coaching merry-go-round could be about to go into full swing.
Rothfield reported there is a rumour Sea Eagles assistant Michael Ennis 'is being groomed to eventually take over from Seibold', adding: 'Seibold is no certainty to see out his deal unless he can quickly turn Manly's form around.'
Manly will lose Cherry-Evans next season and there are calls for Seibold to move Tom Trbojevic into the centres and pick Lehi Hopoate to fullback when he returns from concussion.
Waiting in the wings for an NRL head coaching job is Maroons and Cronulla assistant Josh Hannay, while ex-Broncos boss Kevin Walters is keen on a return to the coaching caper.
Gold Coast's win over Manly released the pressure valve on Des Hasler, 64, who is fighting to keep his job and fulfil a clause on his contract that states the Titans must make this finals this season.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten is also under the pump after a 58-4 loss to the Dolphins on Saturday, albeit without Jason Taumalolo and Origin players Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai.
Interestingly, all four of Flanagan, O'Brien, Seibold and Payten are managed by well known rugby league agent Isaac Moses.
After North Queensland's loss to the Dolphins: Cooper Cronk said on Fox League: 'The thing about the Cowboys is their 'good' is great, but their 'bad' is really bad. They've been inconsistent since that good year in 2023.
'They've shown signs of 'You've got to respect this team they can do something', but other times they're paper thing defensively and don't get the job done consistently enough.
'Todd Payten would be getting frustrated and the supporters would be too, because they're a better team than what they're showing.'
James Hooper added: 'The type of coach Todd Payten looks like from an outside point of view, I think the Cowboys will feel the blowtorch this week given the magnitude of the loss.'
The Cowboys have a -106 points difference, which could prove pivotal in the race for finals.
Mal Meninga said: 'Their season is on the line now. The way they lost puts them under enormous pressure. For and against is going to be crucial they way the competition is going.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
NRL news, updates: Fans up in arms over ugly ‘dog shot' on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki, New Zealand, Parramatta Eels
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Former Manly Eagles centre Alfred Smalley is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after a sickening dog shot on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki in the NSW Cup on Saturday. In the closing seconds of the Warriors' 46-22 win a frustrated Smalley lost his head, charging out of the line and flooring the young fullback. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Video of the incident appears to show the 26-year-old strike the New Zealand fullback with his shoulder or forearm, sending him flying backwards. If that wasn't enough Smalley then flopped on top of Tuaupiki who was out cold. Smalley was unsurprisingly sent off, while Tuaupiki was helped to his feet. You can watch the ugly incident in the player above. Former Manly Eagles centre Alfred Smalley is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after a sickening dog shot on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki. Image: Getty/X Incredibly with the help of the trainer the 25-year-old managed to walk off the field and informed fans hours later that he was doing okay on social media. But rugby league commentator Sam Hewat was disgusted by what he witnessed. 'Absolute dog shot here to the head of Taine Tuaupiki in NSW Cup. ZERO leeway for this in our game. 10 seconds to go in the match, down by 22 points, and you fly inside two of your own defenders to try and take a guy's head off,' he wrote on X. 'Justifiably sent off in the game but should get more.' And fans were equally outraged. 'That's beyond disgraceful. He should have the book thrown at him,' one fan wrote. 'That's a total disgrace,' another added. 'That's disgusting,' a third wrote. Fortunately, Tuaupiki recovered enough from the incident to be cleared to board the plane home to Auckland on Saturday night. Originally published as Footy world outraged over former NRL player's ugly 'dog shot'
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
Australian Test cricket crisis laid bare as major shake-up looms, World Test Championship final, South Africa, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, latest team news, updates
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. COMMENT As Australia licks its wounds from an embarrassing five-wicket World Test Championship final defeat at the hands of South Africa, changes are already being discussed both internally and externally. But there isn't long for Australian selectors to get their ducks in a row, with the next two-year Test cricket cycle beginning later this month with a three-Test series against the West Indies. There are many things for selectors to mull over, such as who should open the batting, and if it is worth bringing in a second specialist tweaker such as Matt Kuhnemann, with subcontinental conditions usually favouring the tweakers. West Indies vs. Australia Test & T20I Series | Watch every ball LIVE with ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. But what does not appear to have changed is the selectors' stubbornness in selecting the best six Australian batsmen irrespective of where they usually bat, their age or whether or not they are in form. However, sooner rather than later they will need to look beyond just a single Test series as the reality is they have somewhat screwed themselves by sticking solid with the same group of veterans. The reality is the Australian squad is ageing out and the next generation has been badly devoid of opportunities. The two youngsters blooded last summer, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas were both dropped despite the former being played in an unfamiliar role as opener and the latter being overlooked for non-openers Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. That was despite the fact he rattled the world's best bowler in the world Jasprit Bumrah and clearly has immense raw untapped ability. Make that make sense. Australia need to make changes and fast. Image: Getty Aussie fans have been blessed with a strong generation of cricketers, which has resulted in the side taking out major tournament after major tournament until now. The WTC final defeat will be a tough pill to swallow but for Aussie fans, it could be about to get much worse, with years of selection decisions set to come back to bite in the long run. In the World Test Championship, Cam Green was the only Aussie under the age of 30 in the team. And when injuries have presented selectors with the chance to blood youth, instead they routinely turn to the likes of Scott Boland and Michael Neser and others deep into their 30s. It has seen many other fast bowlers come and go as nothing more than Sheffield Shield journeymen and it is even more grim for the batsman. That is why the likes of Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and before them David Warner were almost undroppable. Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw have all come and gone, dropped at the first sign of struggle, while others hold onto their spots regardless of their output. The reality is that come the next WTC final, it would be fair to assume half of the Australian side that lined up this week will be retired, so major changes need to happen sooner rather than later. Josh Inglis could solve Australia's opener woes. (Photo by) Who should Australia select for the West Indies series? Let's start with the openers. It's time to go Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja. Khawaja returned scores of 0 and 6 in the WTC final and has had a very grim few years with the bat, barring one series against Sri Lanka. At 38 years of age, his time has come and gone and luckily for Australia, there is a ready-made replacement in Konstas. The teenager has a lot of work to do granted but there is no shortage of raw talent and competitiveness ready to be moulded into a potentially generational batsman. While fellow WTC final opener Labuschagne is badly out of touch and a stint back in Sheffield Shield could do him the world of good. He is averaging just 25.63 in Tests during the 2024/25 season and looked devoid of all confidence against South Africa. In his place, I would go with Josh Inglis. His rapid-fire century on Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year reinforced his credentials as a red ball player and is someone who Australia needs to find a spot for. So why not at opener? Steve Smith is a No. 3 whether he likes it or not. That move would also allow for Cam Green to slot in at his preferred four. However, it is worth noting Smith dislocated his finger in the loss to the Proteas. If he isn't fit I could advocate for Nathan McSweeney to come in. At 26 years old, the batsman's best years are ahead of him and after two strong Sheffield Shield seasons he deserves a proper crack in the Test fold, where he isn't thrown to the wolves facing the new ball. From there I would keep it fairly similar to the side who were beaten by South Africa with Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey rounding out the middle order. From there, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all nearly undroppable as is Nathan Lyon. But I could entertain a rotation of one pace bowler getting a rest so tweaker Matt Kuhnemann could make up a two-pronged spin attack with Lyon. Sam Konstas deserves another crack at opener. (Photo by) Nathan McSweeney has been strong at Sheffield Shield level in the past few seasons. (Photo by) Pat Cummins suggests changes are on the cards With the 2027 WTC cycle kicking off when Australia travel to the West Indies, Australian skipper Cummins hinted that changes could be on the cards. 'We've got a couple of weeks before the first Test in the Windies, so we'll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game,' he said. 'But for me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset. 'It's probably more for the selectors and for me to sit down and map it ahead.' Cummins also suggested the likes of Konstas and Inglis could find themselves in the team come the first Test against the Windies. 'Coming to this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland and Josh Inglis, all those guys were right on the fringes,' he said. 'So I think again, after this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation.' Australia's three-Test series against West Indies in Barbados kicks off on June 25. Predicted Australian XI to face the West Indies 1. Sam Konstas 2. Josh Inglis 3. Steve Smith (or Nathan McSweeney) 4. Cam Green 5. Travis Head 6. Beau Webster 7. Alex Carey 8. Pat Cummins 9. Mitchell Starc 10. Nathan Lyon 11. Josh Hazlewood Originally published as 'Screwed themselves': Aussie crisis laid bare as major Test shake-up looms
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
US Open final round live scores: Adam Scott eyes major, Sam Burns leads
On a punishing Oakmont course famed for crowning first-time major winners, Sam Burns finds himself on the brink of joining a historic list. The 28-year-old American will carry a one-stroke lead into the final round of the 125th US Open after firing a one-under-par 69 in the third round to stand on four-under 206. Burns, who leads compatriot J.J. Spaun and 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott of Australia by one stroke, is among nine first-major hopefuls in the top 10. Scott holed three birdies on the back nine to finish three under par for the round and the tournament, and will join Burns in the final pairing of the day on Monday morning Australian time (4:15am AEST). Adam Scott is in a good position ahead of the US Open's final round. Picture: Getty Images Aside from Scott, no other player inside the top 10 of the leaderboard has ever claimed a major championship, with the former world number one looking to join Greg Norman, Peter Thompson and David Graham as just the fourth Aussie man to win multiple majors. Seven first-time major winners at Oakmont include 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus, South African Ernie Els and Americans Johnny Miller and Dustin Johnson. First-major hopeful Sam Burns leads the US Open field before the final round. Picture: AP Photo 'It would be incredible,' Burns said. 'As a kid growing up you dream about winning major championships and that's why we practice so hard and work so hard. 'The opportunity to win a major is special. I'm definitely really excited for tomorrow. 'The history here and all the people that have been before me and walked these grounds and played here, it's really special.' US Open final round tee times 9:52pm Cam Davis 12:20am Ryan Fox (NZ) 1:58am Jason Day 3:20am Marc Leishman 4:15am Adam Scott Follow Adam Scott's charge through the final round of the 125th US Open in our live blog below. Originally published as US Open final round live scores: Adam Scott one shot behind first-major hopeful Sam Burns
