Ryles’ new Eels era won’t include Barrett as Talagi offered fullback chance
By Adam Pengilly, July 21, 2024 — 4.45pm
Parramatta’s caretaker coach Trent Barrett won’t be part of Jason Ryles’ support staff as the incoming coach opts for a clean break from the Brad Arthur era, which includes a pitch for Blaize Talagi to take over the fullback role if he remains at the club.
Former Sea Eagles and Bulldogs coach Barrett, who was one of the final four candidates in the race to take over at the Eels, is preparing to move on from the blue and golds when the season finishes, having been parachuted into the interim role after Arthur was sacked earlier this season.
According to sources familiar with the situation but not allowed to discuss the matter publicly, Ryles will bring in an entirely new assistant coaching team to the Eels, despite suggestions Barrett could stay on in the same role he filled under Arthur for 18 months.
The decision will be seen as Ryles putting his own stamp on the club after Barrett joined Josh Hannay and Dean Young in auditioning for the Eels job, which was finally decided earlier this month.
Barrett has led the Eels to just one win from seven matches since taking over from Arthur, and is trying to arrest a five-game losing streak which has included a number of narrow defeats to finals-chasing teams including the Bulldogs, Roosters and Knights.
Eels bosses have been rapt with the efforts of Barrett since taking over and visited him to tell him in person he’d missed out on the coveted job to Ryles, despite the backing of high-profile stars such as Mitchell Moses.
But Ryles - a former assistant to Craig Bellamy, Trent Robinson and Eddie Jones at England rugby union - will put his own stamp on the Eels with Barrett, a longtime St George Illawarra teammate during their playing days, to be one of the first casualties.
Ryles has signed an agreement with the Storm that stipulates he won’t be able to poach any of their staff for the next 12 months under the terms of an early release, which will see him start working in the background for the Eels as soon as this week. Barrett will continue coaching the team for the rest of the season.Ryles is in the final stages of trying to convince teenage star Talagi to sign a new deal at the Eels, with the NRL rookie and his management putting off talks until Parramatta finalised their coaching search.
Discussed in the negotiations has been the potential for Talagi to take over from co-captain Clint Gutherson at fullback, a major ace up the sleeve of Ryles when it comes to keeping the highly rated star.
The Dragons, Knights and Dolphins have all courted the former Australian Schoolboys prodigy, who has scored eight tries in his last nine games playing a number of positions including fullback, wing and centre.
Having already lost Moses for the rest of the season with a biceps rupture, Junior Paulo (foot), J’maine Hopgood (back) and Bailey Simonsson (knee), the Eels will also be without rookie Charlie Guymer, one of the few bright spots this season after making his debut three weeks ago.
He’s booked in for season-ending ankle surgery.Parramatta will face table-topping Melbourne on Friday night as they try to edge away from the Tigers in the wooden spoon battle.
Replies
Ok well that is good for Talagi having a sense of direction for the future. Plus, Barrett i was not fazed either way from him being here or not. It made sense keeping him for squad to have a familiar face and Ryles can get to know the squad better. However, I understand the other way of Ryles wanting no influence from the old regime on this squad that could cause undermining.
I wonder who Ryles will bring in and if he can get a Melbourne assistant. Bretnall, Kostjayson and Lowrie are all nice upcoming coaches from Melbourne system, same with Slade Griffin who is currently at NZ Warriors. But also hope he gets a coach with some experience also.
Is this talagi and papa perhaps ?
lets hope so....this Isaac Moses sounds like a real piece of work tbh
The Lebanese triad of Moses
mitchell Isaac arthur SC
Would it be good for ARTHUR MOSES SCto get on our eels board
is he that close to Isaac ? Are they brothers ??
he loves the eels is a smart man - ???
Everyone knows Isaac Moses is amongst the grubbiest agents and doesn't work for the players best interest, but he is protected by some media. More parents should be warned of things he has done but parents of talented juniors get swayed due to his big name client lists
He gets the players the money and that's why they'll always be happy to sign with him. Hes a great operator if he's on your side and your end game is your bank balance . Hes only a grub if hes not.
I doubt he will get a Storm assistant seeing as there is a clause in his early release stating he can't poach Storm staff for 12 months.
True, didn't read that. Again, if one if off-contract then they are in their right to go. Though that's where i mentioned the likes of Rory Kostjayson who is at Newcastle and Slade Griffin at Warriors as former Storm assistants. He could even have a look at say Matt King from Roosters even.
Let's hope so.
He is going to need all the help he can get.
Whoever Ryles bring in, I hope they are damn good defence and conditioning coaches. Over the past few seasons, fitness and poor defence have been a real issue that BA either didn't address or too focused on 'chasing the collision'
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