New job for forgotten coach could save Fittler

Brad Fittler may not be a dead coach walking – just yet.

NSW Rugby League will make a decision on Fittler's future after the final Origin game early next month.

It has been widely reported Fittler's future is bleak after losing three of the past four series, but Wide World of Sports has learnt the NSWRL is considering a new plan to retain the popular former great.

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Under the proposed new structure, the NSWRL would create a new position of coaching director to assist Fittler.

And in a major shock, the man they are considering for the job is veteran former Steelers, Dragons, Eels, Knights and Roosters coach Brian Smith.

A forgotten man on the rugby league landscape, Smith hasn't coach in the big league since being sacked by the Roosters at the end of the 2012 season.

But, at age 69, he remains a respected figure in the game with nearly 700 top grade coaching games to his name.

Smith would be an ideal mentor for Fittler and a new voice for the players as they attempt to end Queensland's current dominance of the Origin arena.

NEW JOB FOR HOLBROOK?

Still on coaches – and the word is that Justin Holbrook won't be out of a job for long.

Holbrook was well and truly ambushed by the Titans – sent packing the morning after Origin II – in a move no one saw coming.

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But I've heard at least two Sydney clubs have sounded out Holbrook for an assistant coach role come 2024.

The former Titans coach is well respected in clubland despite his modest results on the glitter strip – an area no coach has really been able to get the best out of since the Gold Coast joined the big league in 1988.

SHARKS COULD LOSE SON-OF-A-GUN

The Sharks have a got a 'gun' youngster in their ranks in boom young centre Kayal Iro.

The 23-year-old son of former Kiwi Test star Kevin Iro, Kayal has been on fire in the NSW Cup for the past couple of seasons but has played just one top grade game for Cronulla.

The Sharks have plenty of experienced and talented outside backs ahead of Iro on the pecking order blocking his path to a regular top grade spot.

As a result, I'm hearing the Cook Islands international is assessing his options for next season and could be on the move.

Plenty of NRL clubs are in need of class outside backs and he would have no trouble finding a new home.

COACH'S AWKWARD CLASH WITH STAR

Which cranky coach and his playmaker had a massive verbal stoush this week?

Worst of all, it happened at training in front of the entire squad, with players not knowing which way to look in a highly awkward incident.

The team concerned has been struggling all season – and moments like this don't help.

Oh, and by the way, they lost last weekend just to add fuel to the fire.

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