Giants turn to Anderson to replace departing Brown

During the last two years, the long-serving assistant has twice thought he might be set to take over from Nathan Brown in the Galpharm role only for the Australian to decide to stay with the West Yorkshire club.

However, Brown has now confirmed he will definitely leave at the end of the 2012 campaign when his current contract expires and the Giants have wasted no time in naming his successor.

Former Bradford Bulls and Great Britain prop Anderson, 40, has always been the favourite to be promoted from within – Brown recommended his deputy – and the club’s decision is seen as a natural progression.

“I’m personally delighted that Paul is taking over at the helm,” said Brown, who is expected to return to the NRL having helped transform the Giants since his arrival from St George Illawara in late 2008.

“The past four years have in my opinion seen Paul grow as a coach and he is as ready as he is going to be for the top job.

“He has served a great apprenticeship here along with playing at the highest level at winning clubs and so he knows what is required to be successful.”

Brown, meanwhile, has decided to reveal his long-term plans now in order to escape the disruptive speculation which has hampered the Giants mid-season for the last two years.

“It was a difficult decision to make as the players, the club and the whole local community have been very accepting and supportive of myself and my family,” he said.

“We remain 100 per cent committed to the Giants in 2012 but the management and myself decided it was in the best interests of everyone that this decision was made early and announced now to save all of the speculation.

“We can therefore now fully focus on 2012 and the job ahead. We have an exciting squad for Super League XVII who are looking to continue to improve and grow together as a group.”

Giants managing director Richard Thewlis reiterated that, saying it would bring “clarity and stability” while adding the club had always viewed Anderson as more than an assistant.

The decision is encouraging for English coaches given the recent propensity for Super League outfits to appoint from overseas – Australians will be in charge at eight of the 14 clubs next season – and is reward for the impact Anderson has had on the squad at the Galpharm.

Anderson, who finished his glittering playing career at St Helens, has signed a three-year contract from next November and said: “I am naturally excited by my appointment.

“However, my focus at the moment is solely on the immediate task in hand which is assisting Nathan and the other staff in getting us ready to play in next year’s Super League.

“The people that I’ve been fortunate to work with at the Giants – firstly Jon Sharp and Kieron Purtill – have had an influence on my path as a coach, and, secondly, the impact Nathan Brown has had on me as a coach and a person will be long lasting.”

Leeds Rhinos have named young centres Kallum Watkins and Zak Hardaker together for the first time in the Boxing Day clash against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Given Keith Senior’s release and the conversion of Brett Delaney to the second row, the champions are looking for a new threequarter partnership and head coach Brian McDermott admits he is excited by the promise of the talented duo.

“Both are blessed with a great deal of pace but also have a good understanding of the game,” he said.

“Kallum had a tough time last year with injuries but still played a lot of game time for us. He has been training well in pre-season and is keen to get back out there.

“This time last year Zak, by his own admission, did not think he would be getting many matches during the course of the year after coming into Super League with us from Featherstone. However, he took his opportunity at the end of the season with both hands and will be better for having got his first season under his belt.”

Leeds field a strong side with former England international Lee Smith at full-back and Harry Sunderland Award winner Rob Burrow partnering highly-rated teenage stand-off Steve Ward at half-back.

New signing Darrell Griffin, who moved from Huddersfield in the close season, debuts at prop alongside Paul McShane and Ian Kirke while fellow new recruits Richard Moore and Luke Briscoe are amongst the replacements.

Richard Mathers, who won a Grand Final with Leeds in 2004, makes his debut for Wakefield as do a host of other new Trinity signings in Richard Agar’s first game in charge.

Ben Cockayne, Isaac John and Australian stand-off Tim Smith are all included as well as Dean Collis, Andy Ellis, Danny Washbrook and Danny Kirmond.