NRL: Bluey-Iro combo firms as coaching team

'Bluey' Brian McClennan. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Insiders claim Brian McClennan is now a near-certainty as Warriors coach, provided he can work within the current structure.

Chief executive Wayne Scurrah is on leave until July 18 so a decision is unlikely before then - but McClennan's pedigree, taking the Kiwis to 2005 Tri Nations success and Leeds to the 2008 and 2009 Super League titles, is seen as too good to ignore.

Tony Iro is expected to continue as assistant coach. The pair have got on well in the past with McClennan rating Iro enough to bring him into the Kiwis management structure in 2006 and 2007. It appears a logical solution with Warriors under-20s coach (and McClennan family friend) John Ackland liaising with the pair to capitalise on his knack for talent identification.

The process of bringing McClennan into the fold will not be rushed. Club management have acknowledged the need for continuity but not at the expense of rattling the team's premiership chances with eight rounds remaining.

Scurrah came in for criticism last week on Radio Live from former Warriors player and assistant coach Kevin Campion who said the CEO had "no idea" because of "a limited rugby league background". In a further dig at Scurrah, he went on to say Cleary should never have been allowed to go and the club should be looking above the coach as to which personnel changed.

However, former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe, who was Manly CEO until health problems forced him out earlier this year, says Scurrah is taking the right approach.

"When you're appointing a coach, you've got to sit back and take in the big picture. You can't just have a chat over a cup of tea and say 'right, let's do this'.

"A lot needs to be answered and understood about how each bloke would handle the role. It's dangerous to start thinking about the decision when the team desperately needs to win."

McClennan is currently the football development manager at Auckland Rugby League. ARL chairman Cameron McGregor says he would go with their blessing.

"As I understand it, the process has barely started but the Warriors have met with Bluey [McClennan] as part of that. He is on a two-year contract with us - which he's about six months into - but if he got this job we'd happily let him go.

"From our point of view, he has always been part of the grassroots of the game. Having a Warriors coach who knows how that sort of stuff operates would be tremendous."

With Cleary determined to see out this year, it buys the Warriors further time, especially seeing the players have a high regard for him. The team is just clinging to NRL top eight aspirations and the next few weeks loom as vital.

Two outgoing Warriors - Aaron Heremaia and Lance Hohaia - say the team has been given some surety over the coaching replacement plan.

"Wayne [Scurrah] has told us they're not considering anything except the next eight weeks," Heremaia said. "Obviously Tony's been doing a great job with Ivan; and Bluey could do the same in the current structure. They've all worked with each other before, so there's no reason it can't work."

Hohaia agreed: "Each candidate has fine coaching credentials and they will make a decision in good time. I'd imagine some senior players will be consulted before then, too.

"I've played under Bluey in Kiwis' campaigns and he's a good motivator. His style of coaching gives players the confidence to do well and you don't want to let him down.

"Only time will tell whether that works in the NRL over a 26-week plus season. He's still got to be appointed; he's a great candidate but not a shoo-in.

"Sponge [Iro] is along the same lines."