March 10, 2009
Daryl Neville, Joel Greig and Shane Millard confirmed as AFRL Coaches.

The AFRL confirmed their 2009 coaching staff today with current interim coach Daryl Neville given the Head Coaches job as expected.
 
The AFRL also confirmed his assistants with victorious 2008 u/16’s Development Cup Coach Joel Greig named as one of his assistants. The current Newtown SG Ball Coach and Roosters Toyota Cup Assistant will also take charge of the AFRL U/19’s team that will play a one off match against the Cook Islands at a Gala Day to be held with the NSW Cook Islands at Mascot Oval in September.
 
Shane Millard, father of Fiji Bati Internationals Daryl and Ryan  Millard, will also assist Daryl Neville as well as coach the defending champion Australian Fijian u/16’s team at the 2009 NSWRL Development Cup.
 
Newly appointed Vice-Chairman Manoa Thompson was happy with the selections for the coaching positions and believes the players will benefit greatly from having these guys on board.
 
“Daryl Neville will be great for the boys as he is shown when working with them in the nine a side competitions. His personality fits and he encourages the sort of footy that we Fijians like to play. His last two years with the Rabbitohs NRL team will be invaluable.” said Thompson.
 
“Shane Millard has an obvious great understanding being married to a Fijian and having two Fijian boys who have played NRL, for the Fiji Bati and the Australian Fijians. He also comes with plenty of coaching experience being at the Dragons for a number of years and the US Tomahawks also. As for Joel his efforts with our 16’s last year speak for itself and some of the boys from that team have kicked on and he can take a lot of credit for that. I think it’s fair to say that our boys will be in good hands.”
Other new appointments include Shane Jacobs as team Manager with Dave Mcilhenny and Darren Jones to again assist Steve Driscoll with the strength and conditioning and training side of things. Newly appointed Moore Park Broncos coach Nathan Debartolo will also be invited into camp as part of the AFRL/Moore Park Broncos Partnership
 
The AFRL is now waiting on a reply from the FNRL regarding its request to play in the proposed match against the Fiji Residents. Vice-Chairman Thompson said the AFRL has a number of options for the end of the year but will only look at them options if the FNRL decide against playing the Australian Fijians.
 
“I met the new FNRL Chairman when me and my son Jarryd opened the Secondary Schools competition when we were there for Jarryd’s 21’st birthday recently and the response was very positive. We have sent a letter to them via Liga Gukisuva from Vodafone and we are awaiting their response. We really hope they approve the match because it will be a real rugby league showpiece for everyone in Fiji. If they don’t then we will have to look elsewhere.”
 
The AFRL has confirmed that they have had interest to play the American Tomahawks and have also been invited as special guests to play in an Indigenous Tournament that is held in North Queensland but will only explore those options once a decision has been made to play the match against the Fiji Residents..