Braith Anasta and reporter erupt in heated clash over 'rookie coach'

Braith Anasta and reporter Brent Read have gone nuclear on NRL 360 after the panel erupted over the potential Jason Ryles appointment at the Dragons as head coach. Ahead of the shock news on Wednesday that Ryles won't be leaving for the Dragons in 2022, the Fox Sports panel discussed the potential movement of the Roosters' assistant coach.

However, drama erupted over the qualifications of Ryles considering he is deemed a 'rookie coach', according to former player Anasta. This term didn't sit well with Read who questioned why he would be deemed a 'rookie'.

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Viewers were left absolutely baffled after Anasta, Read, Paul Crawley and Gorden Tallis entered into a heated discussion. Crawley ignited it when he questioned Ryles' credentials.

"Jason Ryles may be the nest great coach but then again, he may not be," Crawley said. Read hit back: "He’s not a rookie coach, that’s really disrespectful to Jason Ryles."

Crawley argued that Ryles was still a 'rookie coach' considering he hadn't taken over a top team in his career. Read hit back and said Ryles could not be considered a rookie after a wealth of experience at the Roosters, an apprenticeship at England Rugby Union and working under Storm coach Craig Bellamy.

Anasta jumped in and said while Ryles could become a great coach, he can't be considered to have much experience at the top level as it stands.

"Jason Ryles could be one of the great coaches but he is a rookie coach Ready, he hasn’t coached first grade," he said. When Read said: "He’s not a rookie coach, he’s a rookie first grade head coach", Anasta snapped back: "Are you ok?"

"I’m saying he’s coached for a long time, he just hasn’t been a head coach," Read added. Anasta finished the argument 'rubbishing' Read's definition.

"There’s Jersey Flegg coaches and under-12 coaches who have coached for a long time. I’m not saying they shouldn’t have got Ryles but to say that he’s not a rookie coach is rubbish. He’s a rookie coach," Anasta said.

Jason Ryles rejects Dragons role

While the four argued on NRL 360 over the definition of 'rookie coach', on Wednesday morning, Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler broke the news that Ryles would be joining the Storm in a 'coaching role'. The move could see Ryles become Bellamy's successor at the Storm.

Although Bellamy is contracted till the end of next year. Bellamy signed a five-year deal in 2022 that allows the master coach a decision on whether he wants to continue at the beginning of the season.

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