Manly, Eels join forces

FORGET the Westies and Silvertails. Forget epic battles of the 1980s, and the Jamie Lyon saga. Forget 60 years of the fiercest rivalry in rugby league.
In a move that will shock - even horrify - fans of Manly and Parramatta, the Eels have joined forces with the Sea Eagles to help their bitter rivals become the world's best league club.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Manly coach Des Hasler and his coaching staff last week met Eels and former St Helens coach Daniel Anderson ahead of next week's World Club Challenge against UK champs Leeds.

Hasler and team met Anderson in a cafe in Castle Hill, where the Eels coach helped plot the downfall of the Rhinos with his Super League inside-knowledge.

Anderson experienced enormous success during his four-year stint with English giants St Helens.
Manly play Leeds on Sunday week for the WCC in front of an anticipated 35,000 fans at Elland Road.

Related LinksMore Manly news: battle still rages on
"Daniel's information was thorough and quality,'' said Manly coaching staff member Noel Cleal.
"Daniel spent a lot of time over in England and helped us to understand what we can and can't do over there.''

In England, Anderson won 57 from 77 games including the 2006 Challenge Cup and Super League title, claimed the World Club Challenge in 2007 and was Super League runner-up. Manly assistant coaches Geoff Toovey and Kelly Egan were at the meeting with Hasler.

"I worked with Daniel at Parramatta and he is a terrific coach and well worthy of a chat before such a game,'' Cleal said. "Des is taking it pretty seriously. Not just for the fact it's the World Club Challenge but also because it's our only two trial games.''

Hasler and his Sea Eagles left for England on Sunday evening. Manly will play a warm-up against Harlequins this Sunday morning in London. The Sea Eagles will field a rookie side against Harlequins before sending out their top side against Leeds.