Queensland coach Billy Slater will be “surprised” if his Origin assistant doesn’t land a top NRL job within a few months.
Josh Hannay is a longtime assistant coach for the Maroons and for several NRL clubs, currently working under Craig Fitzgibbon at Cronulla.
He’s acted as an interim head coach at the Cowboys and Sharks and has long been earmarked as a permanent head coach in waiting.
Queensland coach Billy Slater will be “surprised” if his Origin assistant doesn’t land a top NRL job within a few months.
Josh Hannay is a longtime assistant coach for the Maroons and for several NRL clubs, currently working under Craig Fitzgibbon at Cronulla.
He’s acted as an interim head coach at the Cowboys and Sharks and has long been earmarked as a permanent head coach in waiting.
The axe is well and truly hanging over three current NRL coaches.
A Sydney Morning Herald report on Monday claimed Newcastle is poised to part ways with Adam O’Brien, while Des Hasler’s time at the Titans looks certain to end before October.
The third man in danger is Todd Payten at the Cowboys, where Hannay previously worked and played 150 NRL games during the late 90s and early 2000s.
Slater is resigned to the fact he won’t have Hannay, 45, on his Origin staff next year.
“I’d be surprised if he is involved in State of Origin next year, unfortunately for us,” he told Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast.
“He’s been a real rock for me in terms of the last four years at State of Origin level, I have leant on him immensely.
“He really understands the game, he sees the game really well, he’s got great philosophies.
“I’d be really surprised if he was involved in the Origin series next year, I was probably surprised that he was involved this year.
“I think he’s ready to be an NRL head coach, and I wish him all the best when that opportunity arises for him.
“I’ve got great respect for Josh, I’ve got great appreciation for what he’s done for myself and this footy team over the last four years… even before that, he was involved before I was the head coach.
“He’s definitely going to be a good NRL coach and I look forward to seeing which team he gets that opportunity with.”
Hasler on Sunday denied he was eyeing the exit door at Gold Coast despite reports he has already agreed to leave the club at season’s end.
The Titans sit last on the NRL ladder, while the Cowboys and Knights sit 12th and 13th respectively and remain a chance of making finals, but it is getting increasingly unlikely.
