Former Warriors coach Tony Kemp has urged the New Zealand club to target Queensland’s Billy Slater to replace Nathan Brown as head coach.
Brown quit his post on Tuesday after telling the club he wouldn’t be able to commit to living in Auckland, where the Warriors are normally based.
Assistant coach Stacey Jones will take the reins for the rest of the season as the club hunts for a permanent replacement.
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Slater impressed Kemp with his coaching debut with the Maroons in Wednesday’s six-point win over the Blues. He said the former star fullback could be the best person for the job, especially if he leads his underdog Queensland squad to an Origin series victory.
“I had to have a look what Billy Slater could do with this Origin team,” Kemp told SENZ Breakfast.
“Seriously, Cam George (Warriors CEO) if you were watching last night, you want a ten-year coach, go and offer Billy the town.”
While Kemp acknowledged that landing Slater’s signature would be a difficult task, he said the Warriors ought to enter the race for the 38-year-old anyway, approaching the pursuit of their new coach with optimism.
“We’ve got to change that attitude where we say we’ve got no chance,” he said.
“We have to take that no chance and give ourselves a chance by jumping in the race.
“They said that about young Smithy, Brandon Smith, that we were no chance with him and he went off and signed for Sydney (Roosters).
“At this part of my life, I’m thinking glass half full and looking at things that’ll make something happen.
“They’re probably right, but there’s a little chance … if you’re not in the fight, you can either sit back and say, ‘It’s never going to happen’, or you get in the fight.”
Slater played 31 games for the Maroons during their golden era.
Speaking after taking a 1-0 lead in the Origin series, the rookie coach described his connection to the Queensland group and the emotions involved in his first turn helming the side.
“When I was getting ready at the hotel, I felt like I was playing,” he said.
“I didn’t know I was going to feel this close to the group this quick.
“I have never coached before – but they feel like my family already – I’m not saying that just to say it, I feel a real connection to these guys.
“I’m just so proud – I’m proud to be a Queenslander and I’m really proud to be a coach of that group of players.”
Asked what type of coach he became after kick off, Slater compared his behaviour during the match to that of his fiery former Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
“I didn’t think I was going to be so close to Craig Bellamy in the box, but I was closer than I thought I was going to be so that disappointed me a little bit,” he said with a smile.
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“But I’ve always said that I’m going to be me and I think I’ve stayed true to my word.”
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