Daley interviewed for Kiwis job

RUGBY LEAGUE

Former New South Wales coach Laurie Daley will have to fend off the challenge of three other highprofile Australian contenders, including two NRL Premiership winners, if he is to replace David Kidwell as Kiwis coach.

Daley, Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey were filmed by arriving in Auckland ahead of interviews with the coach selection panel of Monty Betham, Frank Endacott, Dean Bell and Waimarama Taumaunu.

Former South Sydney coach Michael Maguire has also been spotted in Auckland.

The appearance of four of the sport’s most successful coaches in recent years will be a welcome sight for Kiwis supporters who endured a disastrous World Cup campaign under an former coach Kidwell, whose lack of experience was badly exposed.

Although looking overseas is a big change in approach from New Zealand Rugby League, who have traditionally employed New Zealand coaches, the decision to allow foreign applicants will ensure they have the best possible candidate.

Hasler, who won two NRL titles with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2008 and 2011 and took the Canterbury Bulldogs to the grand final in 2012, has the best success but Macguire, the only one of the four not to have represented Australia as a player, won an NRL title with South Sydney Rabbits as recently as 2014.

Toovey took does not have a significant coaching honour but did take Manly to the grand final in 2013, while Daley has never coached in the NRL but has the added bonus of boasting representative experience, taking New South Wales to State of Origin glory in 2014.

Kidwell confirmed earlier this month that he would not seek reappointment.

The Kiwis are scheduled to play a test against England in Denver, Colorado, on June 23.