Noble may beat Malcolm to middle
January 29, 2006
THE Newcastle Knights may have a Great Britain coach at their helm again - and it's not Malcolm Reilly.
As the Knights' hunt for a replacement for Michael Hagan heats up it has emerged that Great Britain coach Brian Noble is interested in the position.
Sources close to the situation have told The Sun-Herald that Noble, who is coaching Bradford Bulls in the Super League, is one of the applicants.
Others include Parramatta assistant Jason Taylor, former Broncos assistant Kevin Walters and former Northern Eagles coach Peter Sharp.
What is certain is that Reilly, who coached the Knights to their first premiership in 1997, won't be involved in any capacity after chief executive Ken Conway denied he had been approached or had shown interest.
"Forget it," Conway said. "He hasn't put in an application and we won't be seeking one. He has a close friendship with our chairman, Mike Tyler. A mischievous group is trying to get that out there, with the one about Paul Harragon becoming coach. It is a non-event."
There was speculation that Reilly might be used as a coaching director, as was former NSW coach Phil Gould at the Roosters, but Conway said that would not happen.
Noble, who could not be contacted yesterday, is an ambitious coach and it's understood he has long held a desire to work in the NRL.
Since taking over from Canberra coach Matthew Elliott at Bradford in 2001, he has won the Super League grand final twice, the World Club Challenge twice, the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders trophy. He was appointed Great Britain coach in 2004.
The most bizarre name touted for the position during the week was that of Cowboys coach Graham Murray, who is off contract at the end of this season. Murray said he would not apply. "We've started something special at the Cowboys and it's something I would like to continue building on," he said.
Conway said the club would not rush its decision.
Source: The Sun-Herald
Noble Knight
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