Whitehaven are set to tackle last season’s League One champions North Wales Crusaders today.
Their former player coach Carl Forsterhad led them to the title before taking up a coaching role with newly accepted Super League club Bradford Bulls.
The Crusaders have found life tougher in the Championship with two wins and four defeats so far, for one more point than Whitehaven.
It led to the departure of Dean Muir and in his place the Crusaders have appointed Krisnan Inu, whose most recent role within the sport was as assistant coach at Salford Red Devils.
He arrives in Wales following a stellar playing career with sides such as NZ Warriors, Parramatta Eels, Canterbury Bulldogs, Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards. He also had a brief stint in rugby union’s Top 14 running out for French side Stade Francais.
Inu, who will work alongside the head of rugby operations, Kylie Leuluai, said: “I am fully committed to contributing in every possible way to ensure we reach the level we know we are capable of, with the clear objective of pushing for the playoffs as we approach the latter stages of the campaign.”
Leuluai said: “I’m pleased to see Kris joining the club as a coach. Having known him as a player, teammate, and opponent, I’ve seen first-hand the experience, professionalism, and insight he brings to the game.
“Kris has a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach, and I’m confident he will be a valuable asset to the club. I look forward to building a strong working relationship with him and striving to achieve success together.”
Between them the pair have recruited two new faces who will go straight into the squad. Masi Clark has experience in both rugby league and union, and has previously spent time within the systems of both Auckland Blues and NZ Warriors whilst previously competing in League 1 for Cornwall.
Maciu Nabogi has experience in both rugby union and 7s across the National League.
Whitehaven interim head coach James Newton has named his 21 and included is recent loanee recruit Oliver Polec who has joined until the end of the season from leigh Leopards.
They should be raring to go after two weeks on the sidelines after a hard-earned draw with Midlands Hurricanes in Newton’s first game in charge.
Barrow loanee Seth Woodend, who scored his second try in two matches against the Hurricanes, did return briefly to Barrow, but he is back with Haven for the trip to Colwyn Bay.
- The Haven squad is: Bickerdike, Blinkhorn, Brennan, Brown, Holgate, Holliday, Kellett, Newbegin, Nixon, B Pearce, J Pearce, Polec, Shackley, Smith, Todd, Turnbull, Walker-Taylor, Wallker, Weatherill, Williamson, Woodend.
- Crusaders: Eden, Forber, Nottingham, Hatton, Patton, Gibson, Worthington, Baldwin, Pemberton, Oakley, Robinson, Eaves, Ioane, Westwood, Clark, Nagobi, Ah Van, Walker, England, Spedding.
