Former Panthers assistant Andrew Webster is confident he won’t fall victim to the “biggest mistake” new coaches make as he takes over at the Warriors ahead of the 2023 season.
Webster worked alongside Cameron Ciraldo and Ivan Cleary during an incredibly successful period for the Panthers, winning back-to-back premierships in 2021 and 2022.
Across NRL history, coaches have attempted to implement strategies from their old club into their new team to varying success.
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Webster believes to return the New Zealand outfit to the finals race he must begin developing juniors and find the best method to unlock the club’s talented group.
“The biggest mistake coaches make is they copy and paste things from where they’ve been.
“But that might not suit this group of players,” Webster said to The Daily Telegraph.
“We have things that are non-negotiables. We are going to have a team that works hard and will be a skilful attacking side.
“The best way for the Warriors to have success is via the pathways, which is hard to do when the players haven’t been in New Zealand.
“The staff have done a terrific job while the NRL has been away.”
Meanwhile, Shaun Johnson’s form was consistently under the microscope across the 2022 season.
While once the Warriors returned to their Auckland base the halfback’s performances clearly improved, Webster wants to get the best out of the dazzling ballrunner.
“I told Shaun that if he had the fire and ambition to play at the highest level and to his potential, then I wanted him here,” Webster said.
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“I couldn’t have made that clearer – and he couldn’t have answered stronger.
“I know when he’s happy off the field and connected to his family, that’s when Shaun plays his best football. I know that from first-hand experience.
“When he returned home last year he played his best football. I’m excited about the legacy Shaun can have.”
Webster has in the past filled in as head aoch at the Tigers after Jason Taylor was sacked in 2017, also working as an assistant under Andrew McFadden across the Tasman.
However, the 40-year-old is under no illusions how big a task he has ahead of him.
“Everyone asks if you’re ready to be a head coach. If I stayed at Penrith for five more years then I would’ve been five years more ready,” Webster said.
“Having an opportunity to work at a club I knew and felt comfortable at is a big advantage. If someone else got offered the job and had never been living in Auckland then it would have been a different challenge.”
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MCCULLOUGH OPENS UP ON ‘STRANGE’ NEW CHAPTER
Recently retired Andrew McCullough has opened up on life after the NRL, admitting it’s a little “strange” returning to the Broncos, where he made his debut 15 years ago.
McCullough made the decision to hang up the boots a week ago and has since moved into an off-field role with both the Broncos and Dragons – the club he spent the last two seasons of his career with.
The 32-year-old is a game development manager with the Broncos, while also being a part of the Dragons’ corporate team.
McCullough returned to his home town, Dalby on his first day with the Broncos to run clinics for local kids.
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He told the Broncos’ website that it was “strange” being back involved with the club but he knows it’s where he belongs.
“It’s good, it feels right and (I’m) just excited and grateful to not just the Broncos but also the Dragons for working it all out and the opportunity as well,” McCullough said.
McCullough, who played 309 NRL games, also revealed more detail about his roles and why explained why he’s able to work for rival NRL clubs
.
“It just worked out, there’s no conflict of interest in regards to first grade stuff or scouting or coaching one particular position against one another,” he said.
“It was more so to be able to give back to the Broncos’ development, whereas the Dragons is more corporate and game day stuff down in Sydney throughout the year.
“It’s unique but it sort of made sense from both sides so I’m just grateful for both clubs.”
