After being announced as the head coach of the Warriors through until the end of the 2017 season, Andrew McFadden says he is focused on instilling standards which he believes will deliver an NRL premiership.
And the Warriors players have backed his appointment, noting an improved approach to discipline at training under his leadership.
And the Warriors players have backed his appointment, noting an improved approach to discipline at training under his leadership.
Just over a month after being appointed the acting coach of the New Zealand side, following the resignation of Matt Elliott on April 7, McFadden said the long-term deal gave him the stability he needed to take the squad to the next level.
“I am really happy and grateful for the opportunity from the club. I am really determined to get success and I just can’t wait to rip into the job,” McFadden told NRL.com.
“It gives me security and a bit of weight to instil some standards here.
“When you have only got a six-month deal there is that uncertainty about whether or not you are going to be there [next year].
“It certainly gives the players, myself and the club some stability.”
Since taking the reins, the 36-year-old has won two out of four matches and drawn praise for his hard-line approach to under-performing players, including dropping of Dane Nielsen and Feleti Mateo (since reinstated), two of the highest-paid members in the squad.
There has also been a noticeable increase in intensity at Warriors training under McFadden, and the playing group appear to be buying into it every step of the way.
“This is a very talented squad, but like any squad they need the right environment to excel. That is what I am trying to do, give them an environment where they can place their best footy,” McFadden said.
“Sometimes when you are in activities you don’t quite see the whole picture, but when you step back you see there is a lot of room for improvement.
“I have had a look at that and identified areas where we can improve.
“They [the players] are all on board, they know what I am about and I think that is what they want. It is just simple thing; demanding more from them.”
Off-season recruit Sam Tomkins hailed the news, believing McFadden had already shown he was the best man for the job.
“Cappy (McFadden) has come in and made a real difference in the last four games and it is right that he has been rewarded with a lengthy contract here,” the English fullback said.
“There is a little bit more discipline in the way we train and I think the intensity has picked up a bit. That has made us more of a complete team.”
While his side come off their best performance of the year, a 54-12 victory over the Raiders, McFadden was under no illusions as to the task they faced this Sunday against the ladder-leading Bulldogs.
Canterbury have leaked only 19 tries so far this season, an average of just two per game, and are among the top three teams in the competition in terms of least missed tackles and errors.
“There is no bigger challenge than the Bulldogs this weekend. I think it is a really timely test for us, we need something like this to take us to another level,” McFadden said.
“It is going to be a challenge but I have full confidence in our guys and know they can do the job.
McFadden is the 10th coach in the Warriors' 19-year history.
