By STEVE MASCORD
THERE are lots of things you can ask a coach. When it’s someone at a new club, in a new country, like Warrington’s Steve Price in 2018, there are even more.
But no-one ever seems to ask coaches the most obvious question of all, the big one: Why?
Why do a job that, no matter how much you are paid, you are unlikely to stay in for long? Why put your life on hold in a role that leaves you entirely at the mercy of 17 blokes in their teens, 20s and 30s? Why take total responsibility for all those sponsors, all that money, all those fans and front up for the media every day?
What on earth makes someone want to be a coach, much less do it again a couple of years after being sacked – as is the case with Price?
“I love going home and being a pain the arse to my missus!” Price, not to be confused with the former Canterbury player of the same name, answers the Super League season launch.
“Nah, I love making a difference in people’s lives, making people better and growing them as rugby league players.
“You know, it’s a bug you can’t get rid of.
“It’s in your blood. I love the coaching and the pressure that goes with it. There’s not much sleep throughout the week.”
Steve Price, a former St George and Balmain player, got his first taste of being head coach in 2011 – right here in England. St George Illawarra head coach Wayne Bennett headed home to be with his ill mother, leaving his assistant in charge.
The Dragons beat Wigan 21-15 and when Bennett left for Newcastle, Price had the job fulltime. He lasted two years before being replaced, in turn, by his assistant Paul McGregor.
Price was a relaxed and friendly figure as Bennett’s assistant and as an assistant and runner for Cronulla over the past two seasons (yes, that was him standing behind the Sharks defensive line at DW Stadium 12 months ago).
But as a head coach, he was often aloof and – in press conferences – a tad uptight. He says he’s learned a lot, on multiple fronts.
“When I look back on it, I had 14 fantastic years at the Dragons,” he said.
“It was a great setup and I have fond memories and to be able to get that ring in three fantastic years with Wayne was great. There are things sometimes you’d like to think you would do differently.
“Hopefully now back in the hot seat, I don’t make those past mistakes. I feel like I’m a lot more mature now, got a lot more steel now in my coaching philosophy and I feel like I’m much better prepared this time around.
“It’s a combination there. There were times there where my communication could have been better and there were also, too, (mistakes) from a football sense. I feel like I’ve matured a lot more in that regard and I’ll be braindead if I make those same mistakes again.”
Regarding his demeanour outside the change rooms, he smiles before saying: “I think I know what you’re referring to.
“I feel like I’m a lot more mature now and I’m really embracing the change, the culture. There’s a lot of really good, genuine people over here. I’m really loving it.”
Of course species want to know what sort of rugby league the Wolves will be playing. Reading between the lines, it will be methodical and defence oriented – although Price says he is open minded to a degree.
“I’ve definitely got an outcome which I’ve known over a number of years that has worked … back over the other side of the world.
“Over here, you’ve got the back end of the season that can be (climactically) like the start of the season. That’s going to be a challenge. It’s new to me as a coach because I haven’t experienced those conditions, three seasons in one year.
“Easter Weekend, Magic Weekend, are totally different concepts to what I’ve experienced in the past.”
Whether Price sees Warrington as a last chance saloon, as a possible route back to an NRL head post, is not something he’s really considered.
“Warrington Wolves is a club that demands success and I’m no different. I’ve come over here to give the club a chance to be up there. I feel like I’m a lot more resilient as a coach and hopefully the things we’ve been working really hard through that pre-season on, doing the army camp and the experience those guys have gained from the World Cup, it’s all left the club in good shape.”
One more thing. I’ve always wondered: in these days of touchy-feely coaching and millennial entitlement, how does a man in Price’s position negotiate the personal-relationship minefield of a largely male workplace?
How do you treat everyone differently and yet still maintain discipline?
“I don’t want to know everything that’s going on but it’s all about open and honest communication. Man management is the key now.
“If you get that right and everyone rowing in the right direction, it creates an environment where everyone loves going to work and is happy, then that’s half the battle. If you achieve that outcome and feel the systems you’re trying to implement at training will happen a lot quicker.
“You definitely need sympathy and empathy among your players and among your staff. It’s important you set the ground rules out early. If you have clarity about what your expectations are you can’t go wrong.”
Can’t go wrong? As a rugby league coach in Super League? We’ll see about that – I certainly wouldn’t do it.
