Shane Flanagan

Tepend, who guided Lae Snax Tigers to six premierships in the PNG domestic competition before joining the coaching staff of the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup, will take over from Michael Marum after six years as his assistant.

Flanagan, who took Cronulla to their inaugural premiership in 2016 and is currently engaged as a list management consultant with St George Illawarra, will support and advise Tepend as Kumuls coaching consultant.

PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina made this announcement yesterday.

He said PNGRFL wanted to build on the success of the Kumuls over the last few years, and Tepend who has served as assistant coach to Marum over the last six years has the experience and qualifications to provide that continued growth and stability for the team. 
“We congratulate Stanley Tepend, he’s worked hard and built an impressive coaching career making him a well-respected coach in Papua New Guinea. We are confident that he will build on the success of the national team,” said Hondina.

Flanagan will become part of St George Illawarra's coaching staff as an NRL assistant coach in late December.

The club released a statement on Wednesday to say it had "exercised due diligence throughout the lengthy appointment process of Flanagan in consideration of his 2018 NRL coaching deregistration".

The former premiership-winning Sharks mentor will join the Dragons on a one-year deal and the NRL has informed the club that he can begin his role with the club next month.

World Cup winner Valentine Holmes – moved from fullback after a poor outing in the round one loss to the Cowboys – backed it up with another forgettable match while his replacement Josh Dugan was mostly strong. Flanagan said Holmes will continue on the wing, for now.

Cronulla had raced out to a 14-0 lead and completed their first 20 sets but fell to pieces after half-time as the Dragons finally got the use of a strong breeze.

Flanagan revealed Kyle, 19, will play in the Sharks No.7 jersey in his side's first pre-season trial against Manly at Southern Cross Group Stadium on February 17.

The Sharks coach has previously said he would have no hesitation picking his son for first grade if he feels he's up to it and Kyle looks set to receive his first taste in the coming months.

While Flanagan said Chad Townsend and Matt Moylan were his first-pick halfback and five-eighth for 2018, he was giving his son every chance to push for a starting spot.

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The Sharks have had five players involved in the 2017 State of Origin Series and although James Maloney missed Saturday night's loss, the other four players backed up in various emotional states.

Valentine Holmes was riding the high of Queensland's win but rotated with Gerard Beale between wing and fullback, Andrew Fifita's Origin heartbreak was offset by the birth of his third child and Jack Bird and Wade Graham carried the burden of the Blues' defeat into the clash with the Titans.

Cronulla appeared in control for long stretches of Saturday night's game, but their inability to land the knockout blow came back to haunt them as Leivaha Pulu crossed twice in the final 13 minutes to seal the upset win.   

Flanagan and Sharks skipper Paul Gallen both agreed that "the sky's the limit" for the 2016 Holden Cup player of the year who beat out experienced players to replace Michael Ennis in the No.9 jersey. 

Segeyaro is said to be looking for an NRL return, but is still contracted to Super League side Leeds.

With veteran Michael Ennis announcing his shock retirement last year, Flanagan says he still hasn’t decided on a replacement, but wouldn’t rule out making a play for former Cowboys and Panthers rake Segeyaro.

“We have spoken to James but we believe he’s got a contract in place with Leeds, so he’s got to deal with that before he does anything with our club,” Flanagan told Sky Sports Radio.

An abrasive character on the field, Ennis was in many ways the final ingredient the Sharks needed to become winners in their 50th season and his impending absence from the team for Round 1 has left Flanagan with a number of options to siphon through.