Kieran Foran’s coaching reign off to flying start with Manly win over Dolphins

Kieran Foran, while playing for the Kiwis in 2025.
Photo: Photosport

Former Kiwis rugby league international Kieran Foran’s off to a flying start as an NRL interim head coach, leading Manly to a big win in his first game in charge.

Foran, who only took over from the sacked Anthony Seibold six days ago, masterminded a 52-18 win over the Dolphins at Redcliffe, with his team scoring nine tries.

At one stage, the Sea Eagles led 52-0, as they ran riot at the Dolphins home ground, with Lehi Hopoate getting two of the tries, while Tom Trbojevic, his brother Ben, Reuben Garrick, Luke Brooks, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Corey Waddell also helping themselves to four pointers.

The win was Manly’s first of the season after they’d lost their opening three matches, which had led to Seibold’s sacking.

“Whirlwind week,” Foran said. “It was crazy, but that was an awesome effort, the boys were outstanding.”

“We’ve been really, really good in patches. But the challenge for them (the team) this week was putting in a complete performance and doing it for longer periods.

“And I just thought the week was great. There was a lot going on. You can’t take away from that, but they turned up tonight,” Foran said.

However, Foran did admit to being anxious prior to kick off.

“Oh, I was nervous right throughout the day. Yeah, I was going for walks through Brisbane. I couldn’t sit still. I think I did about four or five kilometres,” he said.

The challenge for Foran and his team now is to back up the win, with another in their next game, which is against the Dragons next Friday.

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