Warriors just sacked ANOTHER coach… but nothing will change unless they fix these big issues

The New Zealand Warriors have their fourth coach in just shy of two years, following the departure of Nathan Brown on Tuesday morning.

And with Sunday’s match against the Manly Sea Eagles set to be Michael Maguire’s last game in charge of the Wests Tigers, the NRL’s coaching roundabout is back in the headlines.

But there are fundamental and long-term problems at the league’s struggling clubs – and just swapping the strategist in the hot seat won’t solve them.

The Daily Telegraph’s veteran journalist Phil Rothfield took aim at the culture of hiring-and-firing in the NRL when he took to Fox League’s NRL 360 on Monday night.’

“Just sacking coaches – it doesn’t fix things,” Rothfield said. “They (NZ) sacked Stephen Kearney and Brown ran 12th and 14th.

“The Titans sacked Neil Henry in 2017, Garth Brennan came in and ran 14th and 16th. Same at Canterbury, Dean Pay’s first years when (Des) Hasler was sacked: 12th, 12th, 15th. They sacked him, Trent Barrett comes in: 16th and 16th.

“What I’m saying is, it doesn’t just solve the problem, getting rid of Madge (Maguire). It says a bit about the same people who have brought in coaches and got rid of coaches. They seem to be far more secure.”

Paul Kent interjected: “Because the board won’t sack themselves!”

James Hooper argued that Brown bore the brunt of roster problems outside his control at the New Zealand side.

Hooper said: “He’s been dealt some hard cards, in terms of the playing roster. The Matt Lodge scenario has nothing to do with Browny but he’s been forced out of the club. Addin Fonua-Blake, one of your marquee recruits, he’s got a major foot injury at the moment.

“They bought Shaun Johnson in the off-season, he hasn’t really been able to fire a shot for them.”

Rothfield replied: “Particularly without Lodge and Fonua-Blake, that club needs Johnson to stand up. Very very experienced campaigner, done it all. And he hasn’t (stood up). He has not delivered. He’s been really, really disappointing for that club.”

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta said: “I can’t see a quick fix either. You say that Shaun Johnson has got to find some form but I haven’t seen him close to his best this year.

Rothfield said the short-term need for the Warriors was to get the most out of the misfiring playmaker. “He’s under contract for next year, they’re already paying Lodge for next year when he won’t be there. So they’ve just got to find a way to get Johnson to aim up.”