Wigan boss Shaun Wane is highly fancied to take the helm at NRL side New Zealand Warriors, after they parted company with coach Matt Elliott today in the wake of a 37-6 loss to Cronulla Sharks.
The Warriors currently sit 13th in the NRL with three losses from five games. Andrew McFadden has been appointed acting head coach until the end of 2014.
Wane is touted by many to take the role permanently later this year, and there are several reasons for this:
1) He is close friends with the club’s general manager, former Wigan captain Dean Bell.
2) He has a good relationship with full-back Sam Tomkins, who joined the Warriors from Wigan last year.
3) He is out of contract at the end of this season and, although he has verbally agreed an extension at the DW Stadium, there has been no confirmation of a new deal.
4) Wigan won the two biggest trophies available in the European game last year, leaving Wane with little more to achieve.
5) Wane has openly states he hopes one day to coach in the NRL.
It is fair to say all signs point to him succeeding Elliott in Auckland, but St Helens coach Nathan Brown and former assistant Tony Iro are also said to be under consideration.
