Boots 'n' All pundit Shaun McRae has backed London Broncos' decision to relieve Rob Powell of his role as the club's head coach.
Powell has steered the Stoop outfit to just three wins from their 20 Super League games so far this term and the side currently prop up the top-flight table.
The 31-year-old, who served as the club's assistant coach under Brian McDermott, will remain on the Broncos' coaching staff, which will now be led by Australian Tony Rea until the end of the campaign.
"When I looked at the rosters at the start of the year I thought London had recruited well," said McRae, the director of rugby at Hull FC.
"They put a lot of money into the players but I'm not sure they put the resources into the coaching staff.
"They have asked a young man - and a terrific fellow - with very little experience [to be coach]. He learnt a lot under Brian McDermott's tutelage, but was he really ready to take on that level of responsibility?
"You thought Rob might have been assistant coach so he could ply his trade and learn a little bit more and, with seven games to go, that is what the Broncos have decided to do.
"It's taken them a while to take that step but I think it's the right one."
Passionate
New man Rea has previously played for the club and acted as its CEO, while, in his maiden spell as head coach in the early-to-mid 2000s, the Queenslander twice guided the Londoners into the Super League play-offs.
And McRae believes Rea's knowledge of the Broncos, and his infectious personality, will serve the strugglers well for the remainder of the season.
"History shows you that there is often short-term success in bringing somebody in," he added. "And the great thing is that Rea has played almost every role in terms of the leadership area.
"He is really passionate about the London Broncos as well as a great leader of men. We're not sure what effect he will have in such a short space of time, but he is a positive guy and will put a smile on people's faces.
"That doesn't guarantee you success but if you get people wanting to play for your organisation and enjoying their rugby league you have got a greater opportunity of winning games than if you sit back and feel sorry for yourself."
