Kidwell in line to take over Kiwis
New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Alex Hayton says David Kidwell is the favourite to replace Stephen Kearney as coach of the national side but isn’t limiting himself to the former Kiwis enforcer.
Kearney has ended his eightyear tenure as Kiwis coach to focus solely on his new role at the Warriors after accepting a threeyear deal to take over from Andrew Mcfadden.
With the Kiwis taking on Australia in Perth on October 15 ahead of the start of their Four Nations defence later that month, the NZRL is racing the clock to appoint a replacement.
Kidwell has served as Kearney’s assistant for the last three years but Hayton revealed he was also talking to ‘‘a couple’’ of other candidates with the aim of making a decision by the end of the week.
‘‘The obvious candidate is David Kidwell because he has been the assistant for three years, he’s in the system, he knows the culture,’’ Hayton said.
‘‘We have had a discussion with David and we’re also talking to a couple of other people and we’ll work through that process over the next couple of days.’’
Kidwell played 25 tests for the Kiwis between 1999 and 2008 as well as 241 first grade games in Australia and England before embarking on a coaching career.
He is currently an assistant at the Wests Tigers having also worked under Craig Bellamy at the Storm, while he coached the South Sydney under-20s team to the grand final in 2010.
Hayton refused to elaborate on the other candidates but didn’t rule out the possibility of appointing an Australian coach.
Such a move would not be unprecedented. Daniel Anderson coached the Kiwis between 2003-2005, while fellow Australian Ivan Clearly assisted Kearney in recent years.
‘‘First and foremost, we’re looking to get the best person for the job,’’ Hayton added.
‘‘I think being a Kiwi is a plus in understanding the culture that’s been built in the team and how we’d like it carried forward.
‘‘But there aren’t many Kiwis in high-profile positions in rugby league coaching ranks so we have to be open to someone else.’’
Whoever replaces Kearney has plenty to live up to.
The Kiwis have enjoyed great success under his leadership, winning the World Cup in 2008, two Four Nations titles (2010 and 2014) and, with last year’s Anzac test victory, secured three wins over the Kangaroos for the first time since 1953 to claim the world number one ranking.
Hayton received a call from Kearney on Saturday to advise that he was in line for the Warriors job and would be stepping down from the Kiwis.
He admitted the timing was far from perfect but said Kearney has offered to travel to Perth for the Kangaroos clash to help ease the transition for the new coach.