Australian Royce Simmons replaces Mick Potter as head coach at St Helens
Jul 23 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
ST HELENS have confirmed the appointment of former Australian hooker Royce Simmons as their new head coach in succession to Mick Potter.
The 50-year-old Simmons will quit his assistant’s role with the Australian national team to take charge of Saints from next season on a two-year year contract.
St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus said: “Royce will bring vast experience to the Saints.
“He is used to successfully coaching elite players and developing young talent alike.
“Having worked directly with Australian national coach Tim Sheens for the last seven years, he is more than well equipped to ensure that Saints compete and succeed at the highest level.”
Simmons, who recently flew to England for an interview at Knowsley Road, said: “This is a huge honour for me and a challenge that I am ready for.
“St Helens are one of the great historic names in world rugby league and are at the crossroads for a great future as they move to a new stadium with a squad that has a great balance and blend of proven internationals and some of the brightest young prospects in the game.
“I’m fully aware of their record of achievement and the style of rugby which has so distinguished them over the years. I’m really looking forward to taking up the role and moving to England.”
A one-club man as a player with Penrith Panthers from 1980-91, Simmons won 10 caps with the Kangaroos and made 10 appearances in Origin for New South Wales.
He launched his coaching career at Hull from 1992-94 before returning to Sydney to take charge of the Panthers.
Simmons, who spent seven seasons in charge at Penrith, has been assistant to Tim Sheens at Wests Tigers since 2003 and has also been Sheens’ right-hand man with the Kangaroos for the last 18 months.
Sheens said: “Although sad to lose Royce, I’m extremely happy for him. He’s now absolutely ready to succeed in coaching a club of the standing of St Helens.
“He’s more than aware of what it takes and has all the attributes and attitude to succeed at the highest level.”
Former Leigh utility back Kieron Purtill, who has been the right-hand man to Daniel Anderson and Potter, is expected to stay on as Simmons' assistant but Saints have added captain Keiron Cunningham to their coaching staff for next season.
Cunningham will assume a split role, principally assisting in the coaching of the academy and assisting with fitness and conditioning. Simmons will become Saints’ fifth Australian coach in the Super League era, following in the footsteps of Shaun McRae, Ian Millward, Daniel Anderson and Potter, and his appointment means that 10 of the current 14 Super League clubs will have overseas coaches in 2011.
Saints are the last of the four clubs to fill their head-coaching vacancies for 2011.
FIXTURES: TONIGHT: (7.45 unless stated): engage Super League: Hull v Wigan 8.00. TOMORROW: engage Super League: Catalans Dragons v Warrington (Stade Aime Giral) (5.30), Hull K R v Bradford (5.15). SUNDAY: engage Super League: Crusaders RL v Castleford (2.00), Huddersfield v Harlequins RL (3.00), Salford v Leeds (3.00), Wakefield v St Helens (3.30). The Co-operative Championship: Widnes v Leigh (3.00).
