‘I want to be a part of that journey': Ryan Hinchcliffe locked in as assistant coach in huge coup for Samoa ahead of World Cup
It's the latest step in Hinchcliffe's development that started in 2019 when the workhorse returned to the Storm after a stint in the Super League to become the club's development coach.
He's risen up the ranks and is now an assistant coach at the Storm, with his defensive expertise to be a huge asset for Gardiner at this year's Pacific Championships.
The pair have never properly met, but approaches were made earlier this year when the Storm played the Dolphins, with general manager of football Frank Ponissi helping to broker the deal once he realised Hinchcliffe was interested.
'I spoke to Ben a couple of times and thought it was a good opportunity for me personally and professionally to develop as a coach and to work with some elite players and see where it ends up,' Hinchcliffe told the NewsWire.
Hinchcliffe spent seven seasons in Melbourne as a player and quickly became one of Craig Bellamy's favourites given his willingness to work hard and do anything for the team.
Coaching wasn't always on his radar, but his growth at the club sparked a passion for it that now means he will work on the international stage and will likely be in the mix eventually for a head coaching role in the NRL.
'I was always interested in the tactical side of it and the game planning side of it but also the mental side of footy,' Hinchcliffe explained.
'I certainly wasn't the best player, but when I came to Melbourne, the coaching that I got from the Storm and Craig and all the assistants did a lot for me.
'As I got a bit older, I thought it would be amazing to help other kids grow and develop and chase their dreams. I want to be a part of that journey.
'I think the experience I had set me up for that.'
Hinchcliffe will predominantly work with Samoa's middle forwards and will focus on their defence, which struggled against England last year and in the 2023 internationals against Australia and New Zealand.
His transition onto the international stage has been made easier with Samoan stars Stefano Utoikamanu, Shawn Blore and Sua Fa'alogo all playing for the Storm and encouraging him throughout the process to take the job.
He'll also get to work with one of the strongest forward packs ever assembled, with Samoa hoping to add representative superstars Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to the pack this year.
'You go through the players in their squad, and it shapes as an unbelievable competition at the end of the year with the Pacific Championships,' Hinchcliffe said.
'I'm really excited to work with some of the most elite players in the game.
'I'm sure they'll teach me a lot more than what I can teach them, but that's part of the journey and that's what I'm really excited about.'
The move is another sign of Samoa's commitment to become one of the best teams in the world, with Gardiner and Hinchcliffe both products of highly successful NRL systems who know how to win big games.
'Ryan brings a wealth of experience from both his playing days and his coaching career,' Gardiner said.
'His commitment, knowledge and passion for rugby league make him a perfect fit for what we're building with Toa Samoa.'
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