If the Roos coach is fulltime, there’s only one option

Judging by reports, the ARL are likely to stand firm on their current insistence that the incoming Kangaroo coach be appointed as a full time position.

Despite the fact the Kangaroos only play a few games a year, a full time coach does make some sense.

It would be hard for an NRL coach to put aside what they see at training, or week to week when selecting a side.

It would also be tough for the Roos coach to ignore what he saw in camp, and not take inside information back to his club side.

The same applies for the most likely candidate for the job, Mal Meninga.

If he were to hold onto his QLD job, as well as taking the Kangaroo top spot, he would gain insight into NSW’s best in both how they train and prepare.

I’m not sure it would make a big difference, but the fact you cannot say it certainly wouldn’t, is enough to rule Meninga out of the running if he chose to continue his QLD gig.

After being moved on from his position at Manly, Geoff Toovey is the man I would appoint, tomorrow.

Despite the fact he was “sacked” by Manly, anyone who has kept up with the circumstances of his departure will agree he was very hard done by.

The way he dealt with the shambolic off-field games being played at board level should put him in a good position to deal with anything thrown at him in the Kangaroo job.

Let’s be honest, the world’s best players are chosen to represent the Australian national side, there’s no need to “coach” them per say, it’s all about motivation and management.

Geoff Toovey managed to motivate a broken side to within a spot of finals footy, despite the pre-mentioned distractions his club faced.

He had two halves who were more worried about their 2016 to worry about 2015. Cherry Evans led a media circus the like we will hopefully never see again.

He faced a reported player revolt over his decision to not offer Glenn Stewart a contract last season.

Stewart, although solid, hardly made Toovey eat his words during his time at Souths, and has since been allowed to move to England.

I’m not saying every decision Toovey made was correct, but the way he faced criticism and was there for his players is to be admired.

Having represented the Kangaroos he understands the value of the jumper.

Too often players mention that representing NSW or QLD is their ultimate goal. Origin means more than international fixtures right now.

Toovey may be the man to bring the importance of the Roos jersey back to the forefront.

With both New Zealand the England closing the gap to the Kangaroos, appointing a full time, fully committed, and long-term coach is becoming more important than ever before.

New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has been in charge of the national side since 2008, and they have improved for having stability in the coaching ranks.

Kearney is another coach who was moved on from his club role, but has made a name for himself as at the international level.

Evidently he wasn’t good enough to lead Parramatta, but was good enough to deliver the most unlikely of World Cup wins.

Toovey has all the tools to take on the role, should Mal decide he wants to continue to lead the all-conquering Maroons.

To be honest I’m not sure what the hold up in appointing Toovey is.

I’m sick of the Sam Burgess return already

Through absolutely no fault of his own, I am already completely sick of the Sam Burgess return to rugby league.

Since Souths announced the return of their Grand Final winning Englishman, the media has run a campaign proclaiming the second coming.

Let’s get something straight right now. Despite media reports to the contrary, there aren’t many, if any, outside of the South Sydney fan base, who are happy Sam Burgess is returning to the NRL.

Once again, this is through no fault of Burgess, but why would we be happy with a superstar forward returning to the game to bash our forwards around?

I guarantee the opening Rabbitoh fixture of the season will be billed as the return of Sam Burgess, rather than return of the competition.

I fully expect a pre-recorded voice over to accompany Burgess onto the field in round one.

Best of luck to him, but I dread the Channel 9 love in that we’re about to endure.

We're already getting a cringe worthy Danny Weidler update on his flight as I type this. Oh dear.

One legged race for the Golden Boot

For those who missed the news, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Leeds fullback Zak Hardaker, and Johnathan Thurston have been shortlisted for the golden boot award.

Although the credibility of the award has been questioned, the quality of the three nominees surely cannot be.

That being said, reports suggesting a three legged race for this award and sensationalist to say the least.

This is a one man race.

Just hand the award, and any others available, to Thurston right now.

He won the Dally M medal in a canter, kicked the winning field goal in the grand final, and led QLD to a monster series deciding victory.

There are plenty of good players in the world of rugby league, but there is only one Thurston.

He’s the best player in the world. The best of our generation. Possibly the best ever.

RTS and Hardaker, in any other year, may have captured the award, but surely they will not in 2015.