Waite still intent on quitting
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Your support makes all the difference.The Great Britain coach, David Waite, still intends to step aside when his contract expires next year, despite being on a high after the drawn series with New Zealand.
Denying Australasian opponents a series for the first time in nine years has raised Waite's stock, but he still sees coaching the national side as a short-term appointment.
"I came here for three years, initially as a consultant, and I finished up coaching – which is fine," he said. "But the idea was always that I should hand it back to British coaching staff when the time was right."
Waite still believes that will be after the series against his native Australia 12 months from now, but he could easily be persuaded to continue in his other role as the League's technical and development supervisor. "There's enough work there for three men, so it's quite possible I could carry on," he said.
Waite believes that Saturday's win will have a long-term effect on those involved. "We had a generation of players who had never celebrated a victory," he said. "Now we have a generation of people who understand what it takes to beat another nation who want it as badly as you."
Waite will be urging the League to arrange a warm-up match for Great Britain before they face the Kangaroos next autumn, possibly against France or a visiting Australian club side.
The Sydney Roosters want a warm-up game before playing St Helens in the World Club Challenge on 14 February. The Australian champions are wary of the difference between temperatures at home and those they are likely to encounter at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton, which is hosting the match.
"I want to get the guys used to the conditions over there," said the Roosters' coach, Ricky Stuart, who has asked the Great Britain coach and former Sydney player, Phil Clarke, to try to find them suitable opposition.
Warrington have re-signed the 20-year-old hooker Mark Gleeson – brother of St Helens' and Great Britain's Martin – after he left them mid-way through last season to travel in Australia.
Gavin Clinch's move to Salford is in doubt following Halifax's demand for compensation for the remaining year of his contract with them.
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