Coach: Rip Taylor (Wyong Roos)
The silver fox of the rugby league coaching world, Robert ‘Rip’ Taylor guided his Roos all the way to the grand final in 2015 with a 15-and-seven record across the regular season – quite an accomplishment for a team in just its third season… after finishing dead last on debut!
A veteran of the coaching world who has tasted success and done a stellar job at a number of clubs and in a number of leagues, one expects with Rip in charge of the Roos it’s not a matter of ‘if’ Wyong taste sweet premiership glory, it’s when.
Assistant Coach: Ben Gardiner (North Sydney Bears)
The Bears were in VB NSW Cup hibernation when nine-year coach Wayne Lambkin left in April, appearing dead and buried for season 2015.
Enter former Rabbitohs under-20s coach Ben Gardiner – a mentor short on experience but not lacking in drive or courage.
Gardiner brought the growl back to the Bears in the 2015 VB NSW Cup, with a three-wins-in-30-starts record before his appointment thrown out the back door as his side found a way to compete with opponents on the way to an eight-placed finish.
Each day this week we’ll analyse the best performers of the season. Click here to view the full 2015 VB NSW Cup Team of the Year.
