WHILE the puzzle lays unfinished, changes to the coaching landscape are set to shake up the Southern Inland Rugby Union (SIRU) competition when it kicks off in April.
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Preseason training will begin to trickle into action over the next month, with several coaching appointments yet to be finalised.
Ag College, Leeton, Tumut, Wagga City and Young yesterday confirmed theirs will remain unchanged, while Temora announced a replacement for respected leader Bill McCrone.
After several years at the helm of the Tuskers, McCrone is eager for a change of pace and has passed the reins to last season’s apprentice, Apenisa Tudulu.
Speaking yesterday, club stalwart Kris Dunstan said the Tuskers would be in safe hands with Tudulu’s experience.
“He’s been in town a long time for us, he’s an ex-first grader and representative player, so he’s always been in the background,” Dunstan said.
“He helped Bill out with coaching last year so it’ll be an easy transition.
“Bill will go back to just playing, his knee has been a bit dodgy for a while but it’s improved a lot in the off season.”
Albury announced the acquisition of former professional coach Steve Stone late last year, taking over from Don Cameron who spent five years in the Steamers’ top job.
Waratahs (Mick Barrett), Cootamundra (Kristian Bodycott) and Griffith (Clint Robertson) are yet to confirm their coaching forecast for next season, while CSU is still on the hunt for a replacement for Cannon Banks.
After two years with Reddies, Banks stepped down from the role at the end of last season and the club is yet to find a replacement.
Meanwhile, Phantoms president Bart Challacombe said his club was thrilled to retain Matt Allen and Greg Horton for a second season.
Although the Phantoms narrowly missed the finals last year, Challacombe believes the huge improvement will only get better this season.
“They’re happy to do it again,” Challacombe said.
“We missed out on the finals but once the competition spit last year we only lost one game.
“We improved a lot and we’re happy to have them back.”
The SIRU season will kick off on April 13, with the first pre-season competition to be held in Cootamundra on March 16.
SIRU coaching landscape
AG COLLEGE
2012 - Richard Turnbull
2013 - Richard Turnbull
ALBURY
2012 - Don Cameron
2013 - Steve Stone
COOTAMUNDRA
2012 - Kristian Bodycott
2013 - unconfirmed
GRIFFITH
2012 - Clint Robertson
2013 - unconfirmed
LEETON
2012 - Matt Allen and Greg Horton
2013 - Matt Allen andGreg Horton
CSU
2012 - Cannon Banks
2013 - unknown
TEMORA
2012 - Bill McCrone
2013 - Apenisa Tudulu
TUMUT
2012 - Tim Graham
2013 - Tim Graham
WAGGA CITY
2012 - Michael Small
2013 - Michael Small
WARATAHS
2012 - Mick Barrett
2013 - unconfirmed
YOUNG
2012 - Luke Eldridge
2013 - Luke Eldridge
