PETER JESSUP catches up with the new Auckland Warriors rugby league boss, Daniel Anderson, and finds that he does not consider his job Mission Impossible.
New Warriors rugby league team coach Daniel Anderson has no preconceived ideas, no earful of advice, no instructions from the new owners as tries to turn around a nightmare in history and a season from hell.
Anderson is a straight-up guy who says he wants to come in with a clean slate and a fresh approach and be judged on the outcome.
He is happy that the 2000 squad contained the talent to do the job and will in coming days speak to the ones not signed on whether they have the commitment he needs for 2001.
Anderson comes with a good background in junior grades - and that is all - but he says he has the analytical mind and approach to change the things that went wrong last season with the Warriors.
"I've had high-quality mentors in Peter Mulholland [at St Gregory's College in Campbelltown, a league breeding ground], Peter Sharp [at Parramatta; Sharp is now coach of the Manly-Norths merger], and Brian Smith [Eels coach]."
He did not watch many of the Warriors' games last year when assistant to Smith, but knows, as all do, where they go wrong.
"Consistency. They damage sides, then drop off. Hopefully, I can advance their ability under pressure," he said.
Anderson, aged 33, married to Natalie and with daughters Alana, aged 3 and Heather, 16 months, was a maths teacher at seventh-form level and regards himself as having the video scanning skills and technical nous to nut out plans to nullify opponents and give his side the edge.
"Tape analysis is a large part of the modern game - previewing the opposition, providing players with background about their opponents, and assessing their performance afterwards. It's up to 50 per cent of the job in season."
Anderson is now reviewing tapes of the players and deciding who will stay, for how much, and who will go.
He has been given a reasonably free rein to determine jobs.
First up is an assistant coach, and he is travelling to Australia this weekend to force an answer out of his first choice, an Australian who he did not name.
Anderson played the game at what he calls an ordinary level and is a participant in "all sports socially at lower divisions."
Rugby league has consumed his life since he took on the role as development officer at the Eels in the mid-1990s. His coaching record is two wins from five appearances in junior grade grand finals.
Last season he was Smith's assistant at Parramatta. Smith is recognised as one of the top tier and the Eels had a star squad of youngsters, including Kiwi-bred David Vaeliki, Nathan and Jason Cayless, and David Kidwell.
The club grants the Kiwis access to their facilities for Sydney tests in recognition of the number of Kiwi-bred players in their junior ranks.
Anderson feels he will have no trouble getting on with the locals, despite that being the most frequently asked question so far.
Smith's transparency in all dealings was a bonus and Anderson feels he learned a lot. Smith's best words of advice were to go in with confidence and look everyone in the eye, and Anderson does.
Admitting that he was floored by the approach from former fullback Matthew Ridge, Anderson said he never regarded the Warriors as Mission Impossible.
"I'm excited to be coaching some of the best talent in the world and I recognise New Zealand as a great development ground and I regard that as one of my strengths, recognising and developing talent," he said.
First he would concentrate on enhancing the Warriors' ability under pressure, he said, giving them "building blocks they can fall back on, the means to fight back when they're behind, routines and habits to compensate for changes in form and attitude."
He hopes to complete the playing roster soon, so when the World Cup players return they can be slotted in to an already-running squad.
He would like a week together with the full 26 before Christmas.
"I expect they will exhibit their natural ability and we will move on from there," is his take on how he will construct the game plan.
There are few players of merit on the market and Anderson does not expect to buy many in.
"The Warriors have the ability to perform at the highest level and they do at certain times - and at certain times of the game.
"When they play as a team they're capable of beating anyone," he said.
So how does he make them do what all league fans have seen they need to do - back up, tackle, stay awake for 80 minutes? You might think Anderson would get advice from every Radio Sport expert.
"No one's told me what they think," he said.
New executive director Ridge is not suggesting what he should do either. Ridge said he did not intend to take a day-to-day role in the running of the team on the field.
He hoped the club would be set on a firm financial foundation with sound management - "the right platform, no brash decisions ... running the business professionally."
Herald 0900 voteline question:
Should the Warrior's backpay be paid by the new owner?
Ring 0900 700 50, then 1=YES or 2=NO