Noble steps down at Wigan
Come to Cru, please!
By Chris O'Brien
October 4 2009
Brian Noble stepped down as Wigan Warriors boss on Saturday evening after his brave side bowed out of the play-offs with a narrow 14-10 defeat at St Helens. However, the former GB coach remains coy on speculation that he is set to be unveiled as new head coach of the Crusaders.
Noble has been expected to leave Wigan at the end of the campaign for sometime.
He officially made the announcement about his departure at Knowsley Road on Saturday evening - having watched his side narrowly crash out of the play-offs against the much-fancied Saints.
Victories over Castleford and Hull KR sealed a semi-final spot for the Warriors - and they nearly booked a place in the Grand Final after pushing St Helens all the way.
Francis Meli's try broke the deadlock as the Saints edged ahead, before a converted try from George Carmont made it 6-4 to the visitors.
Saints took a narrow lead down the tunnel at the break after Sean Long scored, and Meli's second try of the evening gave the home side a commanding eight-point advantage.
However, a late try from Pat Richards made for a tense finale - and had it been converted, then the game could well have ended up going into extra-time.
Noble confirmed his departure from the DW Stadium after the whistle, but he wouldn't be drawn on speculation linking him with a switch to Newport.
"I'll be getting a couple of beers first and I'll be getting my knee fixed because I've been letting that go for four or five years," he said. "Then I'll see what opportunities are out there."