Wests Tigers new coach's ties with former Rebels bikie revealed
The Wests Tigers new interim coach Andrew Webster has only just kicked off in the top job but now Seven News can reveal he had links to an ex-bikie who's since died.
The NRL was made aware of their friendship and gave Webster the all clear to be a pallbearer at the funeral last month.
He's coached just one NRL game, but already Andrew Webster is the toast of Tigertown.
Tigers fullback James Tedesco said he's a legend.
"He really coaches for the boys, he really looks after us," he said.
It seems he is also loyal also to childhood mates, one of whom was former Rebels bikie kingpin Ricky Ciano, who was found dead in an abandoned car in mid-February, his body dumped on a country road.
It was two years since he'd quit the gang.
Webster was front and centre at the funeral as a pallbearer, carrying the coffin with six other men, he even wore a Roosters tie.
A month later he's taken over as caretaker coach at the Tigers following Jason Taylor's sacking.
When he started in the role Webster said it was something different for him.
"It's not something I knew was coming or thought was going to come."
But the NRL had been alerted by Webster about his duties at the funeral.
A spokesman said: "Webster handled the matter sensitively and appropriately and the NRL would not be taking the matter any further".
Others in the sport have been sanctioned for mixing with undesirables, with Corey Norman suspended after dining with bikies and Andrew Fifita fined for supporting one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.
But not Webster and the Tigers support for him is equally staunch.
Tigers player Mitchell Moses said: "I've got massive wraps on him and I think he's the perfect man for the job."
