Former NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has emerged as the shock frontrunner to become the new Kangaroos coach if as expected Mal Meninga takes the Perth Bears job.
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The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield broke the news on the Off the Record podcast, which he co-hosts with The Australian’s Andrew Webster.
With Meninga set to take up the Bears job in the next 48 hours, the ARL Commission is keen to find a replacement as national head coach as soon as possible.
Former NSW coach Fittler and former Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith are the leading candidates, although Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has also thrown his hat in the ring.
However, The commission’s preference is to appoint a coach not connected with a club.
According to Rothfield, Fittler is expected to beat Smith tot he job due to his previous coaching experience.
Fittler won the 2018, 2019, and 2021 Origin series against Queensland but lost the last two.
“The man to replace Mal will be Bradley Fittler,” Rothfield said.
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“I find this a stunning appointment in that Wayne Bennett has told all the right people that he would be prepared to coach the side.
He’s coached New Zealand, England, and Queensland. However, the commission insists it does not want anyone with club or state ties.
“That’s left two men standing: Cameron Smith and Brad Fittler.
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“Freddy has the edge because he has coached before. He was wound up as NSW Blues coach, but he didn’t do too bad a job. He could’ve kept that job, but he wasn’t happy with a four-month contract and taking a substantial financial hit. He hasn’t been approached to coach Australia yet — but knowing him it’s a challenge he’d jump at.”
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Webster believes Fittler would do an outstanding job, but questioned if he has learnt from his experiences with the Blues where he struggled to handle criticism and pressure at times.
“The only apprehension I have is he struggles with scrutiny,” he said.
“In the last two series as NSW coach he became unhinged with the criticism that came his way, which is natural when you lose two in a row. When you coach Australia, you are expected to win every time.
“He lost the faith of the Blues’ playing group in that last series. He was told he needed to make changes to his coaching staff after they lost the series in 2022, and he put his mates ahead of the players and the result was there for all to see.”
