In regards to Nick Stiles, I would say that I think it is pretty unfair assessment to say that he didn't deserve his crack.
After 90 off QLD caps and 10 odd Test Caps his coaching career started
- DOR of UQ
- Forwards Coach Kubota
- Head Coach Kubota
I think this was a 5 year period, then returned to the Force as assistant coach.
He is a Queenslander through and through and while the Force weren't a success during his period, the forwards as a group improved, you can't ask for more than from an assistant coach.
I would say that he is more prepared than 2 part time coaches. Nick won't win many popularity contests out there, hell I have heard the saying that even his mum doesn't like him! But this is a profession and not a popularity contest.
Didn't QLD go down the pathway of appointing from within previously?Mark McBain, Jeff Miller, Andrew Slack, Damon Emtage, Phil Mooney.All did not serve any type of professional rugby apprenticeship and look where that landed the state rugby system. In tatters!
Let's hope that Stilesy goes well and is a success as we have a young pack who will need an experienced coach at that level!
I don't think things were in tatters with McBain. He actually could hold his head high after his time with the Reds. He had some issues with the playing group, Foley in particular.
I would have thought Emtage was serving an apprenticeship as an assistant coach. Surely that's what Tiger Tale wanted. A Premier grade coach to under go an apprenticeship as an assistant coach with a Super team.
I'm hopeful Stiles can do a good job. I have no issue with the Head Coach picking his assistants. They have to face the music if it all goes to shit. Let them have what they want so they can't blame anyone else.