Blinkers off in search for GB coach …

Schoey says it’s okay for Great Britain to remain second-rate on the international rugby league scene; at least that’s what his latest pronouncement boils down to.

Former GB skipper, Garry Schofield, is adamant that we need a British coach in charge of the GB team.

This after last year calling for the sacking of former GB coach, Brian Noble, who is as British as they come and probably our most experienced, talented home-grown coach.

Speaking out against support for the appointment of Australian, Shaun McRae, Schoey says:

If they appoint an Aussie it would be a cruel insult to all the British coaches in the game, and I’m astonished that McRae is even in the running.

What I need to know is which British coaches it is that Schoey has in mind?

Karl Harrison(Salford), Jon Sharp (Giants) and Paul Cullen (Wolves) are all tied to club contracts and would therefore not fulfil the RFL’s stated criteria for a full time coach, with Cullen already appearing to rule himself out of that option.

In any case although all have promise, none have yet gained sufficient big game’ experience to suggest that they could mount a serious challenge to the Australian and New Zealand test teams.

Beyond that there is John Kear (Wakefield), Noble (Wigan) – both of whom have already had their shot at the role, plus Brian McDermott (Harlequins) and Steve McNamara (Bulls) who are yet to cut prove themselves fully at Super League level.

So, I’m not sure where the mythical Brit-Coach will come from?

Bobbie Goulding? Neil Kelly? Phil Larder? Schoey himself? Sir Clive Woodward is free … so he might be tempted, he probably thinks he could do it too!

So whilst McRae may not be the perfect option – and I’d be happy to have other suggestions – I believe he’s a very credible and worthy candidate: as would be Ian Millward were he available.

So let’s not go off on a knee-jerk rant demanding a Brit when the choices are so limited.

Take of the blinkers and look for the best person available (which I think is what the RFL said they intend doing) – we’ll need the best if we are ever to be competitive on the International stage for more than one game in four.