McRae ready for Reds test

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One of the worst-kept secrets in rugby league was confirmed on Monday morning when the former St Helens and Hull boss was named as the new coach of the relegation-threatened City Reds.

"Things have moved on in the game, things have progressed in a positive manner and I am looking forward to becoming part of that again," said the Australian, who has been out of the game since leaving the Rabbitohs last winter.

McRae succeeds the sacked Karl Harrison at The Willows and has an immediate battle on his hands as he looks to lift the club, who are three points adrift, off the bottom of the table.

The 48-year-old has plenty of Super League experience having coached throughout the competition's first nine years but he accepts things may have changed since he left Hull for South Sydney at the end of 2004.

He added: "I enjoyed being in the NRL for the two years I coached there and there was a lot learned there.

"I've enjoyed my time off and I feel like the batteries have been recharged. I guess I didn't realise how much stress you're under as a coach until I got out of it but now I'm raring to go."

McRae has been given a four-and-a-half-year contract by the City Reds and will remain at the club to help rebuild if they are relegated at the end of the season.

Despite their predicament, the club have bold ambitions for the future and hope to move to a new stadium at nearby Barton some time in 2009.

McRae said: "It was probably myself that pushed for the longer term. I wanted to hear about the vision and learn about the future and I liked what I heard."