Bell to lead panel to find new Kiwis coach
A panel led by former New Zealand centre Dean Bell has been named to find the next coach of the Kiwis.
Joining Bell is former national coach Frank Endacott, exwarriors skipper and Kiwis international Monty Betham and former Silver Ferns captain and coach Waimarama Taumaunu.
The panel, which will be supported by a recruitment specialist, will interview candidates before making a recommendation to the NZRL board to finalise the appointment.
‘‘A key recommendation of the post 2017 World Cup review was that there should be more transparency and rigor around various appointments,’’ NZRL chairman Reon Edwards said.
‘‘This independent panel is a great step forward for what is going to be a busy year for the game.’’
The Kiwis coaching position was left vacant after David Kidwell’s contract expired after last year’s disastrous World Cup, which saw the national side crash out in the quarterfinals.
The door has been left open for Kidwell to re-apply, despite the damning independent review into the campaign which highlighted his inexperience.
However, the NZRL have already signalled their intent to look abroad after scrapping the policy which prevented overseasbased coaches from applying.
Applications close on April 6 and Bell, who played 26 tests between 1983-89, says there should be no excuses for the Kiwis not being competitive.
‘‘With the depth of rugby league talent the Kiwis have at their disposal, we should be challenging the best international sides, including Australia, and achieving consistent success,’’ Bell said.
‘‘I’ve already spoken with other members of the panel and as a group we’re determined to support the NZRL in moving on from the issues raised in the review of the last World Cup campaign. We need to make sure that test football is given the status it deserves.’’
The first challenge for the national side is the controversial one-off test against England in Denver on June 23. The match was announced last month although NRL clubs still have major concerns over player welfare.
‘‘The test has been scheduled in the internationally agreed window, so we’re now just working with the clubs in Australia to ensure we put the best possible team on the field,’’ Edwards said.
That is followed by a home test against Australia later in the year and a tour of England and France in October and November.