NEW blood. That’s the approach Pirates have taken to their coaching roster for next season with several fresh faces to lead their various title assaults.
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Jack Walsh will take the first grade helm, following in father Garry’s footsteps.
Now the North West development manager for NSW Rugby, Garry coached Pirates to their first premiership in 24 years.
Jack was part of that side, and scored after the bell to “ice the cake”.
It was to be his final season in a Pirates jumper, although he hasn’t moved too far away from the action, coaching Pirates’ 16s and 18s before stepping up to second grade last year with Mark Gallienne.
“I just thought why not,” Walsh said about taking on the first grade coaching role.
“I’d spoken to a few people. They said there’s no harm in giving it a go.”
He takes over from Andrew Verrell, who ironically took over from Garry (Walsh) when he finished up.
Verrell will still be around, but more in a support and development capacity as coaching director.
Walsh said he had been really good. Dad had also given him a few pointers.
He’ll be assisted by Brendan Rixon during the pre-season at least.
“He’ll help out in the pre-season as much as he can,” he said.
“But his main goal is to get back on the park.”
He’s hoping it works out that he can.
“He’s looking at 80 per cent he’ll be right for April,” Walsh said.
Conrad Starr has also indicated he’s going to go round again, after missing virtually the second half of the season through injury.
Doug Biffin has also been “sticking his head in around the 7s”.
Ben Goodman and Bart Leach are also back on deck.
They also have “a couple of things” on the horizon, and some good young talent coming through.
Such as Colby LaChiusa.
“He was playing some good footy towards the end of last year,” Walsh said. Micah Scarth was another youngster to impress.
Walsh felt coaching second grade last season would help.
For one, it gave him a bit more exposure to coaching older blokes.
He is only 26, and only seven years ago playing alongside many of the players he is now coaching.
“In 2009, the year I stopped playing I played with Doug (Biffin) and Ricko and all those boys,” he said.
“For me being a 19-year old kid playing with them to now being a 26-year old coaching them is a bit daunting.”
He is, however, excited about what could be ahead.
“I think we can do really well,” he said.
“At this stage we will be better off for depth.”
Last season injuries really hurt them.
They are again using the 7s as a big part of their preparations and have nominated to play in a few tournaments.
“It worked well last year,” Walsh said.
The 7s group have already started training.
Training proper will start on February 1.
All four grades will have new coaching teams with Andrew O’Halloran completing the first grade staff as manager, Pete Flynn and Paul Newell will look after second grade with Col Easter as manager, while Andrew Bowden and Jamieson Murphy will take on the U18s with manager Richard Michalski.
Chris Sartori and Sean Tuffrey will share the duties in the U16s.
