Rick Stone has been appointed as the Head Coach of Lebanese Rugby League for the Invitational Pacific Test and World Nines. A respected, talented and experienced coach, Stone has also recently been appointed as the head coach of the NRL Sydney Roosters Woman’s team, with the Holden Women’s Premiership starting in September.
Stone is more than qualified for this occasion after starting his coaching career in Queensland with the Burleigh Bears for over twelve years before switching to the Newcastle Knights in 2006 and then heading overseas for a stint with the Huddersfield Giants. Stone also coached Fiji Bati to the semi-finals in in 2013 before heading back to Australian shores and working in the New South Wales competition with Country Rugby League.
Stone’s first challenge for the Lebanon Cedars side will be against his old team, Fiji Bati. Ironically, his last coaching gig with Fiji Bati, was in 2014 against the Cedars, when he led his side to a 40-28 victory. The Lebanon Cedars and Fiji Bati will be a huge contest at the Pacific Invitational Test at Leichhardt Oval, on June 22.
Stone is looking forward to this challenge and believes the Pacific Invitational Test will be a really good experience.
“They (Lebanon) played a good brand of footy in the World Cup in 2017. Freddy (Brad Fittler, Lebanon’s coach in 2017) did a great job and they had some real success from it. I’ll talk to players like Robbie Farah, Mitch Moses and Tim Mannah, some of the senior boys, about what were the good ingredients about what they did and make sure that we hang on to them and try to put a bit of my own flare to it,” said Stone.
“The brand of footy they played was entertaining and a bit spontaneous, really enjoyable to watch and hopefully they can come out and play the same sort of footy given the right sort of conditions when we play at Leichhardt in a few weeks’ time.”
Taking direction and advice from the senior playing group will be vital, as Stone believes the team clicked as a group quickly, as it was displayed on the field after playing an impressive cohesive style of football in the World Cup.
“Generally, the senior players put their arms around the group and make the team feel comfortable straight away and they all think on the same page pretty quickly. They looked a happy environment and they played some good footy and got terrific results,” added Stone.
The squad will assemble for a week leading up to the game on June 22, and Stone is confident the goup will come together in this time, with a happy environment being key to getting results.
“Trying to bring a group together quickly and create the right environment. You have to bring a team together quickly and make sure everyone’s on the same page and everyone’s heading in the right direction, that’s the main thing and then they’re all playing for each other pretty quickly.”
Three games in total will be played at Leichhardt Oval with Pacific Nations including Fiji Bati, Papua New Guinea and Samoa taking to the field. Stone expects plenty of noise and electric energy around the grounds on game day.
“Knowing the Fijians and how passionate they are about playing for their country and how supporters from both countries will come out of the woodworks. They can smell a game of rugby league from a thousand miles away and they come from everywhere to get involved. It’s always a great atmosphere and always plenty of song, voice and electric energy around the grounds. I expect Leichhardt to be jumping by the time we get a chance to do that in a few weeks. I’m really looking forward to that”.
Tickets to the game are available for purchase here: https://bit.ly/2Qy9rH1
