Anderson looms as Stuart's replacement

Former New Zealand Warriors coach Daniel Anderson is looming as the man most likely to replace the sacked Ricky Stuart at the Sydney Roosters next season.

However present assistant Shane Flanagan also wants the top job.

Anderson, a former understudy to Brian Smith at Parramatta, coached English side St Helens to a Challenge Cup victory over Huddersfield on the weekend in front of a massive crowd in excess of 65,000 people. Ironically, he lost the 2002 NRL Grand Final to the man he may be replacing whilst in charge of the New Zealand Warriors.

The impetus behind the decision is the fact the Roosters will miss the semi-finals for the second consecutive year after winning just eight of 23 games and Stuart finishes up this weekend. Stuart guided the Roosters to three successive grand finals, including the premiership over the Warriors in his first year, but chief executive Brian Canavan says the club board is ready for a new direction.