NEWS » r Leonard, but he has a bright future ahead, O

Former England coach Steve McNamara has agreed to become an assistant coach with NRL side New Zealand Warriors.The 45-year-old, who led England to a 2-1 Test series win against Stephen Kearneys New Zealand 11 months ago, has left his job at Sydney Roosters and signed a two-year contract to assist his old adversary.Meanwhile, McNamaras replacement as England head coach, Wayne Bennett, has appointed former Wakefield and Widnes centre Jason Demetriou as an assistant coach at his club Brisbane Broncos, and 2010 Super League Man of Steel Pat Richards has linked up with his old Wigan boss Michael Maguire at South Sydney. McNamara, who moved to the Roosters when his England role reverted to part-time after the 2013 World Cup, will join Andrew McFadden and Stacey Jones on Kearneys backroom staff at the Auckland club. World Cup 2021 England to stage World Cup in five years Ive learnt so much about the NRL in my three seasons with the Roosters, adding to past experience with England and Bradford, said McNamara. Now Im really excited about this next step in my coaching career, coming to Auckland and working with Stephen and a great coaching group.I have the greatest admiration for Stephen from the days when we were opposing coaches of our national teams. He has done wonderfully well with the Kiwis and Im sure hes going to do a terrific job with the Vodafone Warriors. Coach Stephen Kearney to join forces with old foe McNamara Kearney, who quit as New Zealand head coach after seven years in the role last month, said: While Steve and I were adversaries in our roles with our national teams we formed a great relationship.He brings qualities that will give us a really strong and experienced coaching group as we look ahead to take the Vodafone Warriors to the level we collectively expect of this club. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ?￡6.99. No contract. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Demetriou has been released from his contract with St George Illawarra, where he coached the Cutters to the Intrust Super State Championship this year, to link up with Bennett in Brisbane.Richards will cut his coaching teeth with Souths after bringing his distinguished playing career to an end this year.The goalkicking winger, who played in the NRL with Parramatta and Wests Tigers, was a member of Wigans double-winning team in 2013 and spent the 2016 season with Catalans Dragons.You can watch Premier League football, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the Mexican Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price!Also See:Super League fixturesSuper League tableRugby League on SkyFollow us @SkySportsRLRandy Johnson Jersey . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. 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Custom Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming.BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU running back Leonard Fournette will sit out the 19th-ranked Tigers matchup with No. 15 Louisville in the Citrus Bowl, a decision that ends his highlight-filled collegiate career.Fournette portrayed the decision to rest his injured ankle as a mutual one made in consultation with coach Ed Orgeron. The junior will be eligible to enter this springs NFL draft, during which he is expected to be among the top players selected.Im not a quitter at all. I tried to play through the injury as best as I could, Fournette said. Its a hurtful feeling knowing that we had the season that we had and I didnt get the opportunity to play to my full potential.Struggling with an injury nagging him since August, Fournette rushed for 843 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games this season.The Tigers, who entered the season ranked fifth and with national title aspirations, split their first four games, after which coach Les Miles was fired. Orgeron, who initially took over on an interim basis, gained the permanent head coaching title after going 5-2, with both loses coming in close contests to No. 1 Alabama and No. 20 Florida -- the teams that played in the Southeastern Conference championship game.Fournettes 119.7 yards rushing per game ranks first in LSU history, as do his five 200-yard rushing games and his single-season rushing total of 1,953 yards in 2015. In a victory over Mississippi this season, Fournette rushed for a 284 yards on just 16 carries, highlighted by touchdown runs of 78, 76 and 59 yards. His yardage total from that game also stood as a school record until Derrius Guice rushed for 285 yards on 37 carries in the Tigers regular-season ffinale at Texas A&M.ddddddddddddI had my ups and downs as far as my last two years, but I wouldnt trade it for the world, Fournette said. It made me who I am today.Orgeron said LSU was fortunate that Fournette, arguably the most coveted recruit in the nation coming out of high school in New Orleans, chose to play in and for his home state when he could have gone anywhere.We are grateful for all the years that Leonard gave us, all the great memories, all the great games, Orgeron said. Leonard was a great teammate ... He was a joy to coach.We know this is a tough decision for Leonard, but he has a bright future ahead, Orgeron added. He will always be one of the greatest players in LSU football history.When healthy, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Fournette attacks defenses with a rare combination of power, speed and agility, staggering defenders at times with explosive cutbacks and at others by lowering his broad shoulders. From the moment he arrived on campus, it was a virtual certainty that he would leave for the NFL draft after his junior season. He inferred as much when hed periodically mention his commitment to support his young daughter.The only question left before Friday was whether hed suit up for LSUs bowl game.Fournette thanked LSU and his coaches for not letting me play, but added that he planned to continue to support his teammates through the Citrus Bowl and travel with the team for the game.This is best for my future, Fournette said.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '