Manu hails Brown impact

Correspondent

Willie Manu has hailed the impact new St Helens coach Nathan Brown has already had on the side.

Manu, 32, only signed for Saints in the close season himself, but has already been impressed by Brown’s ideas. 

He said: “Nathan’s been really good, I’m still learning when I’m here which is good and he’s got a lot to offer. There’s only one of him and 30 of us but he finds the time to have an individual word with everyone which is good and he’s made me feel really welcome.

“Every coach has their own style, so long as everyone buys into their way of doing things and we’re all pulling in the right direction then we’ll be fine. I’ve been coached by Nathan before but that was a long time ago, he’s got new ideas now and I’ve enjoyed working under him.  

 “First impressions have been really good, the boys have been really welcoming to me. I’ve managed to get the kids into a good school straight away, so we’re settling down well.”

After five seasons with Hull, Manu switched to the west side of the Pennines to link up with Brown, who joined the club from Huddersfield, with the pair having worked together briefly at St George-Illawarra in 2005.

The former Castleford back-rower is expected to be part of the St Helens side that welcome Huddersfield to Langtree Park on Saturday, February 2nd for their Super League opener.