Kiwis coaching job still holds appeal

Dean Bell expects the Kiwis to attract some high-profile coaching candidates but is keeping an open mind on whether current NRL coaches could juggle both roles.

Bell, a former New Zealand test captain, is leading a panel made up of former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott, ex-Kiwis international Monty Betham and former Silver Ferns captain and coach Waimarama Taumaunu, whose job is to find the next national coach.

The position was left vacant after David Kidwell’s contract expired following last year’s disastrous World Cup, where the Kiwis crashed out in the quarterfinals.

Former New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has already been linked to the role after the NZRL opened up the position to overseasbased candidates.

Premiership-winning duo Des Hasler and Michael Maguire are also on the market having been let go by the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs respectively last season.

While reluctant to name names, Bell says they are casting a wide net and believes the position still holds plenty of appeal, despite the World Cup result.

‘‘I’d be very surprised if we don’t get a couple of high-profile candidates,’’ Bell told Stuff. ‘‘You look at that squad of Kiwis, it’s pretty exciting to be in charge of a group of players with that kind of potential. It would excite most coaches.’’

England recently re-appointed Wayne Bennett as coach, a role he will continue to manage while leading the Broncos in the NRL.

Whether the Kiwis go down a similar route with their next coach will likely depend on the applicants.

‘‘My gut feeling is that it’s a pretty big job to take on both,’’ Bell said. ‘‘Ideally for New Zealand it’s a stand-alone job but if the best coach out there said they want to coach both roles, who knows?’’

Last week NZRL chairman Reon Edwards said the door had been left open for Kidwell to re-apply, although he is yet to speak with the panel regarding his intentions.

The independent review into the World Cup campaign highlighted Kidwell’s inexperience and with a dearth of quality New Zealand coaches, they may have no choice but to look abroad.

The panel, which will be supported by a recruitment specialist, will be guided to some extent by the findings of the World Cup review, particularly regarding the lack of high-performance expertise.

Applications close on April 6.