Waite's new job angers Reilly

David Waite, the former Newcastle and St George coach, may apply for the vacant Great Britain coaching job, a move likely to provoke alarm among the game's traditionalists.

David Waite, the former Newcastle and St George coach, may apply for the vacant Great Britain coaching job, a move likely to provoke alarm among the game's traditionalists.

The appointment of Waite as international consultant to the home nations for this year's Lincoln World Cup has been met with controversy. Malcolm Reilly, the former Great Britain coach and Waite's predecessor at Newcastle, has criticised the move and there could be a sharp exchange of viewpoints when the two men meet today.

Reilly claimed he was disillusioned by both the absence of any English coaches in Super League and Waite's appointment. "I am aware of Malcolm's comments but I'm not sure that Malcolm is totally aware of my job description," Waite said. "I would be disillusioned too if I was Malcolm Reilly. But let's get past the point of being disillusioned and say 'What are we going to do about it?'

"With his background and my background, it should mean we can do something about it together - which is where I'd like to get to."

Waite did admit, however, he would be interested in succeeding Andy Goodway for next year's Tri-Nations series. "It's not a position that is up there at the moment," he said.

"I think there are lots of things on my plate before I contemplate the long-term position of coaching again. But when you are a rugby league coach you do chase the prizes. I have two silver medals for losing Grand Finals in Australia. The only thing I haven't done is coach at international level, and it's something I'd like to do."

Waite has secured a three-month contract to work with John Kear (England), Shaun McRae (Scotland), Andy Kelly and Steve O'Neill (Ireland) and Clive Griffiths (Wales) before the World Cup and to develop a programme for English coaches.