NRL 2020: Former NZ Warriors coach Frank Endacott backs player agent review after Isaac Moses controversy

Former NZ Warriors coach Frank Endacott has seen both sides of the player agent equation and has added his weight to the growing concern at how much power they wield over NRL clubs.

"I can tell you, there's a lot of difference between a good agent and a poor one," he insists.

The Australian Rugby League Commission has announced its intention to review its player agent scheme, with some managers placing as many as nine or more players and coaches at the same club. 

"The Commission has directed management to review and recommend improvements for the player-agent scheme to protect all stakeholders," says interim NRL chairman Andrew Abdo.  

Endacott, who coached the Warriors in 1997-98, agrees something needs to be done and believes the current system can leave clubs exposed. 

"It's dangerous to have an agent who has half a team, plus the coach, plus the chief executive and anyone else at the club, because all of a sudden, it becomes a conflict of interest." 

The former player agent and Kiwis coach has warned clubs that agents should be a consideration when it comes to recruitment. 

"It can have a bearing on that side in future years," he says. "I'd be very careful on where you pick your players from and how many you get from an individual agent." 

Endacott was a player agent for 13 years across the NRL and English Super League. He thinks the time is right for the Commission to intervene.

"I think the NRL could look at capping the number of players an agent has on an individual club. They might say you're allowed no more than four players at one club. 

"I think they might be looking at that now, but I think capping players could be a good thing." 

The control and influence of some player agents has been a long-standing NRL issue. 

Earlier this year, controversial player agent Isaac Moses was deregistered and is currently under investigation for allegedly helping a former client - Parramatta's Tim Mannah - give evidence that "was false and intended to mislead an investigation of the NRL integrity and compliance unit". 

Moses manages some of the biggest names in the game, including Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith and Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold.

Interim Warriors coach Todd Payten & former playmaker Blake Green
Interim Warriors coach Todd Payten & former playmaker Blake Green. Photo credit: Photosport

The Warriors also have strong links to Moses, with former coach Stephen Kearney and interim coach Todd Payten, as well as a host of current players, contracted to him.

Former halfback Blake Green, who requested a release and left the club this week, is signed with Moses, as are veterans Adam Blair and Gerard Beale, whose careers with the Warriors are also in doubt.

Last month, chairman Rob Croot and chief executive Cameron George took the provocative step of releasing a joint statement, denying their current roster shake-up was aimed at diminishing Moses' influence over the club. 

"We wish to correct the impression created by ongoing reporting surrounding players we have on our roster who are managed by Isaac," they said.

"It has been claimed that Adam Blair's position with the club is affected because he's managed by Isaac. That's not the case.

"This association has also been made with other personnel as well.

"While we enjoy good relationships with player managers across the NRL - including Isaac - who players are managed by doesn't form the basis of decisions we make when negotiating contracts.

"Our discussions are based on player performance, the player's fit with the club, the future make-up of our NRL roster and our salary cap."

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has been outspoken on the issue in recent weeks, after English star John Bateman - another Moses client - announced his intention to leave the Australian capital next season. 

"I feel as though the game needs to help clubs in regards to how we have to deal with certain managers over the way they agitate clubs, and how they manipulate communications and negotiations," Stuart says. 

In rare public comments, Moses has responded: "My job is to look after the best interests of my clients, which I have always done, without fear or favour."

He insists Raiders management are under salary-cap pressure and had given permission for Bateman to speak to other clubs.

Another critic of "agressive" player managers is NRL icon Phil Gould, whom the Warriors have reportedly approached for a consultancy role.

"We've just had a group of managers over the last 6-8 years that have become very aggressive in trying to recruit players from other managers and it's all become very murky in that area," he says on his 'Six Tackles with Gus' podcast. 

"There are managers who manage coaches, assistant coaches and can even get control of clubs with the amount of players they have on contract at that club. It even goes towards removal of certain coaches at certain times to have one of their own coaches employed.

"It's a real nasty part of our game, it really is."

Join us at 8pm Friday for live updates of the Warriors v Sea Eagles NRL clash

NRL 2020: Former NZ Warriors coach Frank Endacott backs player agent review after Isaac Moses controversy