Assistant coach Ryles ready to fly from Roosters: Keary

Melissa Woods | May 29, 2023

Jason Ryles will leave the Sydney Roosters for St George Illawarra with the blessing of the players, according to veteran playmaker Luke Keary.

The Roosters assistant is tipped to return as head coach to the Dragons, where he started his NRL career as a player and went on to play more than 150 games.

Keary said he didn’t want Ryles to go but believed the former prop was ready to take the next step after learning the coaching game under Roosters mentor Trent Robinson, Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, as well as brief stint with England rugby union under Eddie Jones.

He said that Ryles had an “aura” about him, similar to former Roosters assistant and now Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

“I’m not too sure what’s going on there but he’s probably ready to take that next stop and be a head coach in the NRL,” Keary said about Ryles on Monday.

“He’s such a good person, he’s very astute, very detailed in what he does.

“He reminds me a lot of Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon) as they’ve both got a bit of an aura and presence around them, both big men.

“He’s ready for the opportunity.”

Keary said players accepted that most assistant coaches were only temporary while they waited to land a top job.

During his time he’d seen the likes of Fitzgibbon, Adam O’Brien and Jason Taylor move through the Roosters ranks.

“We’ve had a lot of really good assistants here and that’s the path they’re on and their dream is to coach a first grade team themselves.

“As players it doesn’t really affect us, we understand what they’re trying to do , we know when they’re all in but they’re trying to chase their coaching dream outside.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Manu is set to return from an ankle injury to face Canterbury at Gosford on Sunday as the Roosters look to reset their season.

“He (Manu) did a little bit of work last week. I don’t think it was as bad as they first thought, so hopefully Joey gets a full week this week,” Keary said.

The side will still be without Victor Radley (suspension) and Brandon Smith (thumb), while Sam Walker (knee) is yet to resume training.

After three straight losses before the bye, the Tricolours are looking for a fresh start.

“It’s been a tough month for us but we’re ready to go again,” 31-year-old Keary said.

“Against the Dragons the result was disappointing but there were a few good signs to come out of it.”