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NRL club Canberra has hired former goalkicking ace Daryl Halligan as a part-time coach.
Halligan will conduct up to 12 coaching sessions during the 2005 NRL season, as well as weekly analysis on the performance of Canberra's kickers.
The New Zealander is one of the greatest goalkickers in rugby league history, having scored 2,032 points - an all-time record until bettered by Jason Taylor (2,107 points) in 2001.
After his retirement at the end of the 2000 season, Halligan worked with the All Blacks as their kicking coach, helping players such as Carlos Spencer and Andrew Mehrtens.
Raiders fullback Clinton Schifcofske, who scored a club-record 245 points for Canberra in 2001, is keen to return to top form with the boot after a lean 2004.
He lost the kicking duties at one stage this year but he will start the 2005 season as Canberra's first-choice goal-kicker.
"I think you're struggling if you can't take something away from Daryl because he's probably the best kicker we've had in our game," Schifcofske said.
Halligan, who played 29 rugby league tests for the Kiwis, said his focus was on refining a player's natural style, not changing it.
"Goal-kicking is a pretty personal thing with most people," he said.
"There's some pretty accomplished kickers here at the Raiders, but hopefully we'll see some improvement."
