Everything you need to know about new Dragons coach Ryan Carr: how stand-in St George boss has Broncos star Adam Reynolds to thank for his biggest break in the NRL
- Ryan Carr was a high quality halfback rated by Rabbitohs
- Had a pre-season shoot-out with Adam Reynolds in 2012
- Carr will serve as interim coach for Dragons for the rest of the season
Interim Dragons coach Ryan Carr could have built a career in the NRL – if it weren’t for Adam Reynolds.
The pair pushed for the chance to replace Chris Sandow as the Rabbitohs halfback ahead of the 2012 season – and it was the local junior covered in tattoos who eventually handed over the number seven jersey.
Reynolds won a premiership two years later and became a great club at Redfern, but acknowledged that Carr had ‘put all the pressure on him’.
Before arriving in Sydney, Carr played for the Cowboys at under-20 level and played for Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup, and played in some lower level football with Wests Tigers before moving to Souths.
“Me or he was the one who would get Chrissy’s spot,” Reynolds told the The Sydney Morning Herald.
Ryan Carr was a talented halfback on South Sydney’s books before injury ended his NRL dreams
Carr and Adam Reynolds battled for the Rabbitohs halfback spot ahead of the 2012 NRL season – with the latter winning the job and leading Souths to the 2014 premiership
“We tried to get the best out of each other and I was the lucky one who got called up. He could easily have been in the position I’m in.”
Reynolds – now the Broncos’ halfback – added that even in 2012, Carr was a “student of the game who had great ideas” and is now a “chance to do something he’s dreamed of.”
After the sliding door moment, Carr played NSW Cup with South Sydney as he bided his time for a first-class opportunity.
A career-ending injury ended those plans, with Carr soon turning his attention to coaching.
Backroom stints with the Rabbitohs and Sharks followed before Carr was appointed head coach of Mounties in 2018, which at the time was a feeder club to the Raiders.
Next up for Carr was Featherstone Rovers in the England Championship as head coach, before NRL clubs came calling again.
Covid halted his plans to return home before the 34-year-old coached the Eels at NSW Cup level last year and also spent half of the 2022 season as an assistant to Parramatta NRL coach Brad Arthur.
Reynolds became a great club at Redfern, winning a premiership in 2014 – but acknowledging Carr pushed him to new levels as both attempted to break into the NRL
When the Dragons contacted him this year to work under Anthony Griffin, Carr was on his way again.
With Griffin fired on Tuesday, Carr is now in the Red V hot seat for the remainder of 2023.
And while he won’t be taking over permanently, he’s already made his mark on the team ahead of Friday’s showdown with the Roosters, recovering offensive center Zac Lomax and hooker Jacob Liddle.
The Dragons have endured a disastrous campaign so far, with just two wins from their first 10 games this season, sitting 16th on the NRL ladder.
Carr will have to stabilize the ship at the joint venture club – and fast. Time will tell if it begins to sink yet.