A report running around Sydney is Simmons has coached his last game at St.Helens.
This is the article from the Sydney Sun Herald some 12 hours ago.
Penrith great Royce Simmons has reportedly been sacked as coach of St Helens after the Super League club's fourth consecutive loss on the weekend against Bradford.
Rumours of Simmons's axing has sent Twitter into overdrive with the former Panthers player and coach being the third top trending topic in the UK.
The Herald has been told that an official announcement is expected later today.
Former St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown, who is currently in charge of Huddersfield, has been linked with the job, while there is speculation ex-Wales and St Helens hooker Keiran Cunningham could take over in a caretaker role.
Simmons, who took Saints to a fifth consecutive grand final loss in his first season at the helm last year, admitted after last week's defeat by Huddersfield that he was under pressure.
“This club has got a great culture," Simmons told the St Helens Reporter.“It's something I've learned since I got here.
“It's got a great history.
“They're proud of it and they expect to win. They do not accept not winning.
“I'd better hold a bit of silverware up this year or I'll be on the plane. That's how things are.“You've got to be a winner or you don't exist too long. And that's good."
I was surprised either of these blokes (Simmons & Brown) got given the opportunity to coach in England after it was proven here in the NRL they didn't have what it takes to coach at the top level on their own.....assistant coaches at best I believe.
Cheers.
Simmons sacked.....???
posted on 19/3/12
If I was St.Helens I would send Keiran Cunningham down-under to OZ and spend some time blowing up balls and placing the witches hats out for Craig Bellamy or Wayne Bennett (or even better both) in an effort to find out what there is to know about coaching in this great game of ours.
It is obvious that just being a good football player doesn't make you a great coach, you have to be a father a boss, a marriage counsellor and at times a friend all rolled into one.
Get Kieran a Qantas ticket today I say......could be the best 50k well spent.
posted on 19/3/12
The BBC article is saying today that Simmons stepped down..........bloody big step I say, more like a shove with a massive tap on the shoulder and a thanks but no thanks.
Tell me, this comment by Long makes interesting reading, do you lads agree with Long or is he being a bit of a know-all.....
Sean Long's comment....Prior to last weekend's Bradford defeat former St Helens scrum-half Sean Long told BBC Sport : "Royce is a good bloke and is well respected but it seems to me the team only knows how to play one way.
"They have a plan A but no plan B. They have played the same way now for two years and teams can read it. If a team studies Saints they will know what to expect," the Salford coach continued.
"The dummy half is deep, then the ball goes deeper from number nine to seven and then to six. The line is so deep that opponents can just press up and dominate territory."
posted on 19/3/12
This comes as no surprise to me. Modern sport is about instant results, and if you can't get them there is a good chance they you will be replaced. I'm not saying i agree with but this is how it is nowadays.
posted on 19/3/12
I have to say I agree with Longy, Saints have been a little one dimensional for a few years under Potter and Simmons. I think some of it was down to the loss of players to injury (Leon Pryce and John Wilkin especially last year), the lack of experience in the halves showed at times last year. Saints have always had strong halves and a couple of players on the periphery who could create a chance, at the moment that is a little stiffled by the lack of power in the pack those players are defending more and therefore creating less chances. Both Lomax and Gaskell will come good but it will take time and patience from the club and the fans.
Unfortunately Simmons has come in a a time of flux and it unfortunately showed as he has been unable to be change it up during a game. That has been one of Saints strenghs in the last few years and it seems to have been lost in the last few years . Last year we depended to much on James Graham's go forward and general leadership, this year from the games I have seen without the go forward the halfbacks are more exposed and under a lot more pressure.
Somebody needs to stand up in the pack and lead by example hopefully McCarthy-Scarsbrooke will be that man as he is only 26 and will hopefully be at the club for an extended period giving stability.
posted on 20/3/12
stackchamp.....I can't agree more......I'll leave St-Helens to your better judgement for obvious reasons but as far as your comments of a 6 - 7 are spot on IMO.
You could have the best set of halves in the league but unless the big lads up front aren't at least holding their own the 6 - 7 can't do a thing....