Noble focused on Warriors

Wigan coach brushes off speculation on his future

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 25th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Noble focused on Warriors

Noble: Focused

I am quite a reasonable, tough individual - I am a bit of an oak tree. These things are sent to try you.

Brian Noble
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Wigan coach Brian Noble has shrugged off rumours surounding his own future, insisting he is completely focused on his current job at Wigan.

It was reported in New Zealand at the weekend that Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney had turned down an approach to succeed Noble in 2010.

The former Bradford and Great Britain boss is out of contract at the end of the season and had previously been linked to a move to the NRL.

Noble, though claims the uncertainty regarding his position is not causing him any concern as he looks to lead the Warriors to glory on two fronts.

Tough individual

"I am fortunate enough to have a fair few silver hairs - they are not there for any reason," he said. "It is not nice when you see those kind of things but you have got to get on with it, and I do get on with it.

"I am quite a reasonable, tough individual - I am a bit of an oak tree. These things are sent to try you.

"I am focused on keeping this team together, certainly after what happened earlier in the week."

The 48-year-old revealed that the Kearney reports were not totally unexpected.

He added: "I have got a lot of friends in Australasia and I have got a grapevine that is better than your network here - just.

"I'm actually close friends with Stephen as well, so let's say it wasn't a surprise to me."

The coach claims that he wants to concentrate fully on the Warriors as the team are through to the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-finals in August and are currently two points outside the engage Super League play-off places.

He said: "My focus at the moment is Wigan Warriors and making sure these last 10 games are as good as they can be, and we also have a semi-final to play in. My focus is entirely on that."

Hock ban

It has not been an easy week for Noble, with second rower Gareth Hock testing positive for Benzoylecgonine - the major metabolite of cocaine.

The England international, who is contracted to the JJB Stadium until the end of the 2011 season, has been suspended and faces a two-year ban if a B sample also tests positive.

"My own personal view is that it is tragic if the game loses a player of Gareth's calibre," Noble said.

"I think it is a tragedy for the game and let's hope it is a salutary lesson to young people in society, let alone in sport."