Overseas stars emerge as contenders for Centurions coach (From Leigh Journal)

Overseas stars emerge as contenders for Centurions coach

3:14pm Thursday 24th November 2011 in Centurions

OVERSEAS coaches Richie Blackmore and Matt Adamson have emerged as the leading contenders to take Leigh Centurions into the 2012 campaign.

Former New Zealand centre Blackmore and ex-Australia second rower Adamson are understood to have spoken to the club with a view to filling the head coach vacancy following Ian Millward’s departure to Castleford Tigers.

Both spent parts of their playing careers in England.

Blackmore, aged 42, had spells with Castleford Tigers (1991-1994) and Leeds Rhinos (1998-2000) before finishing his playing career with New Zealand Warriors.

Earlier this year he was appointed head coach of the Auckland Vulcans, but has also held positions with New Zealand Warriors, Otahuhu Leopards and New Zealand Maori.

Adamson, aged 39, spent three years with Leeds Rhinos between 2002 and 2004.

He achieved State of Origin representation with New South Wales and international recognition with the Australia Super League national team of 1997.

Adamson, who also had playing stints with Parramatta Eels (1991), Penrith Panthers (1993-2001) and Canberra Raiders (2005), worked as an assistant coach to Matthew Elliott at Penrith Panthers during 2007 and 2008.