Ex-Featherstone boss backed for NRL gig
Ryan Carr, Featherstone
With growing reports surrounding the head coaching role at St George Illarrawa Dragons in the NRL, former Featherstone boss Ryan Carr has been backed to take on the gig by an ex-NRL player.
Anthony Griffin currently leads the Dragons, and has done since 2021. The side have picked up just one win so far in 2023 from four, and were recently hammered 40-8 by Cronulla Sharks last Sunday. They sit 14th on the table and have already conceded 98 points in four rounds.
The Dragons also finished outside the play-offs last season, finishing in 10th spot.
Griffin, 56, has reportedly been told by the club that he will have to reapply for his job, with his contract coming to an end at the end of the current season.
Ryan Carr backed for NRL gig
More reports revealed that St George Illawarra Dragons are already lining up interviews, and ex-hooker Cameron King has backed Carr for the job.
King, 31, made 43 appearances in the NRL across stints with St George, North Queensland and Parramatta Eels.
He made the switch to England in 2019 with Featherstone in the Championship, playing under then-head coach Carr in the second division for one season.
Carr guided Rovers to the Championship final that season, losing 24-6 to Toronto Wolfpack for a place in Super League. He returned to Australia the following season, and later joined Parramatta Eels as assistant coach and as boss of the club’s New South Wales Cup side.
King wrote on social media: “If the Dragons are looking towards the future for a coach, I’d be looking no further than assistant coach Ryan Carr. He’s a young, quality coach who’s had success. He’s ready to be an NRL coach in my opinion.”
New South Wales born King returned Down Under with Cronulla Sharks in 2020, but later announced his retirement from the NRL the same year, then aged 29.
If the Dragons are looking towards the future for a coach I’d be looking no further than assistant coach Ryan Carr. He’s a young, quality coach who’s had success. He’s ready to be an NRL coach in my opinion ✌🏼 #redv
— Cameron King (@CAMKINGY) March 27, 2023
Jason Ryles, Dean Young and Shane Flanagan have all been touted as potential replacements for Griffin, should he be unsuccessful in his application to extend his job.