TONY Rea insists his winter recruitment will be done in England as he bids to make only a few subtle changes to his London Broncos squad.
Rea (pictured) was last week appointed Broncos' new head coach on a two-year contract, having led the side to three wins in six games since taking over on an interim basis.
It represented a u-turn from a man who had insisted only a few weeks earlier that he would be returning to his native Australia at the end of the season, and would not be taking the job on full time.
Now, having accepted the post, Rea will mould the squad in his own shape during the off-season, and given he was coaching Down Under before returning to London, Broncos fans could be forgiven for expecting an influx of antipodean signings.
However, with a solid base of overseas players already in place, Rea has made clear he will be looking within these shores to strengthen.
Rea said: “We already have the basis of a very good squad here, which we are starting to see now the players are working hard and playing with confidence.
“I'm not thinking so much of people coming in at the moment but making sure the ones we already have here stay, as we need that continuity.
“We only really need to make a few changes here and there, and I will be looking at bringing in English-based players.”
Rea admits a dramatic turn-around in the team's performances, which has seen the win their last three games on the spin, helped him change his mind about staying.
But he insists he would not have felt like he was leaving a job half done if he had left, as he would not have moved on without helping get the right replacement in place.
He added: “There were a number of things which helped change my mind. There were changes in my personal circumstances, and I've really enjoyed working with the team. And, of course, the performances were a little part of it too.
“I've had the backing of the team, and those results and performances are a result of working hard and the players have committed themselves to doing it – that has been the key.
“We need to continue doing that as I want to push on with this club, challenging further up the table next season, as I know we have the potential.”
Broncos, having had no game last weekend, travel to St Helens for their penultimate Super League game of the season tonight, kicking off at 8pm.
