Todd Payten to take job at New Zealand Warriors, not Wests Tigers Date September 13, 2014 - 10:00PM Adrian Proszenko Chief Rugby League Reporter Todd Payten is likely to take up an assistants role at the New Zealand Warriors in a move that will cull one candidate for the head coaching role at Wests Tigers. Payten is an assistant to Tigers coach Mick Potter, who fronted the clubs new board on Wednesday night with his pitch for a contract extension. Payten and fellow Tigers assistant David Kidwell are among the contenders for the top job should Potter be overlooked. The Warriors do not want to cruel Paytens chances of becoming a head coach and there will not be any announcements until the Tigers situation is resolved. However, it is understood the former Raiders, Roosters and Tigers forward is a long shot to succeed Potter and the Warriors are his most likely destination. The development increases the chances of Kidwell, ironically a strong contender for the top job at the Warriors last year, taking the role. Payten – who, like Potter and Kidwell, is about to come off contract – has a strong relationship with Warriors mentor Andrew McFadden from their time playing together at Canberra. The Warriors are in the process of reviewing their football staff and both of their assistants, former Queensland three-quarter Adam Mogg and fellow deputy Ricky Henry, will be moved on. That was a decision made by me, both of those guys have been terrific but I think I need a little bit more experience in that area so thats one of the things I have really targeted, McFadden said. I am very disappointed the way the season turned out. It certainly doesnt sit easy with me but it is what it is. We werent good enough to make [the finals] so that means we have got to change some things. When asked specifically about Payten, McFadden said: Im not going to talk about any specific names here. I am looking at all our options in that regard and hopefully Ill have some information to give people in the near future. Potter is poised to go back to training the Tigers on Monday without knowing whether he has a job for next season. Other candidates likely to be in the frame for his job include Brisbanes Anthony Griffin, Roosters assistant Jason Taylor and St Helens Nathan Brown. The Tigers made a promising start this year before slumping to a 13th-placed finish, two spots higher than Potters first year in charge. The clubs chances were cruelled by instability off the field and a horror injury toll on it. The joint-venture outfit was forced to use 32 players in 2015. Only Cronulla, with 37, used more. with Sarah Harvey Read more: smh.au/rugby-league/league-news/todd-payten-to-take-job-at-new-zealand-warriors-not-wests-tigers-20140913-10glg2.html#ixzz3DE2gPQP9
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:26:28 +0000