Incoming NZ Warriors coach Nathan Brown has urged fans there could be a teething period when he takes the reins of the club in 2021.
The Australian was confirmed as Stephen Kearney's replacement on Saturday after a lengthy recruitment process that saw the likes of Craig Fitzgibbon and interim coach Todd Peyton withdraw from the running.
Brown will bring NRL coaching icon Phil Gould with him to the club, where the former New South Wales mentor will work as a consultant.
Brown has 245 games as an NRL coach under his belt, winning 80 with the St George Dragons, followed by a horror four-year stint at the Newcastle Knights, where he won just 24 games.
But the 47-year-old comes highly recommended by several prominent rugby league pundits, including former Canterbury Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis, who said Brown is a "perfect fit" for the Warriors role.
But Brown is keen to temper expectations, despite his excitement at the young talent unearthed by the club in a COVID-19 disrupted season.
Speaking via Zoom, moments after being confirmed as head coach, Brown says there will be a few growing pains, but he expects the club to be a regular playoff contender.
"You can't all of a sudden wave a magic wand and you're going to win something. It just doesn't work like that unfortunately," he says.
"The key to any club is sustained success - it's not about instant success, it's building something sustainable that gets you consistency and consistency gives you an opportunity."
Brown has been impressed by a core group of potential superstars that have shone in a season where they have been camped in Australia for close to four months.
Eliesa Katoa, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Wade Egan and Chanel Harris-Tavita have all had stellar moments this season, while spearhead veterans, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tohu Harris have provided the leadership that has seen the club win five games on the road.
Brown believes the hectic nature and unusual circumstances of the 2020 season has been positive for a club that needs yet another rebuild.
"Generally when clubs are changing coaches they are changing coaches because there are areas of the roster you need to improve.
"But, the Warriors have shown of late, this year under some very difficult circumstances, they've got some players in their squad to help take the club forward.
"With a few bits of tinkering and development of some younger players, we feel the club could continue to grow," Brown said.
Brown singled out Katoa and Penrith loan player Jack Hetherington as the type of talent he is keen to work with, hinting that the club may pursue a permanent deal for the 24-year-old forward.
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