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There is a feeling in the air that a change is upon us.<\/p>\n
The game of rugby league has changed so much in early 2026 and we’ve seen entire clubs fall behind the ball.<\/p>\n
Anthony Seibold<\/a> was sacked very early in the season for refusing to move with the times.<\/p>\n Former Dragons coach Shane Flanagan<\/a> was removed from his role, in no small part, due to his reluctance to move on from his tried and tested ways.<\/p>\n The game is crying out for fresh ideas. New coaches!<\/p>\n As easy as it is looking to experienced mentors, sometimes it’s time to look toward the future. Today we look at five names we believe will be called upon for NRL<\/a> gigs.<\/p>\n I have left Kieran Foran<\/a> off this list as he’s (likely) about to be named full time coach of the Sea Eagles.<\/p>\n Stacey Jones<\/a>, current New Zealand<\/a> international coach has also been left off. Ben Hornby<\/a>, having coached 17 games, has also been left off.<\/p>\n Peter Wallace<\/a> was originally the top entry here but news has since broken that he will coach the Penrith Panthers<\/a> from 2028. He thus becomes unavailable.<\/p>\n Here are the top five, next man up NRL<\/a> coaches:<\/p>\n 5. Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)<\/p>\n The entire rugby league world let out a collective sigh when Boyd Cordner<\/a> announced his retirement, many years before it should have come.<\/p>\n Luckily for his fans, and there are many, he was not lost to the game after being announced as the SG Ball coach for the Sydney Roosters<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cordner, in his first coaching gig, lead the side to the SG Ball Premiership on the back of a season that saw them drop just the one game.<\/p>\n The title winning season saw them concede just 116 points across 11 games. The next closest was Souths on 166 conceded across 11 games.<\/p>\n I spoke with a parent of one of the successful SG squad and she almost ran out of superlatives to describe Cordner’s efforts this year.<\/p>\n He’ll need to serve time in the NRL<\/a> set up as an assistant, which is why he is fifth hear and not higher, but Cordner will be a name linked to clubs sooner than later.<\/p>\n