The writing is on the wall for Stephen Kearney as the NZRL has made the decision that he will have to re-apply for his role as the coach of the New Zealand Rugby League team.
Kearney guided the New Zealand team to their first World Cup success in 2008 and backed that up with an impressive Four Nations Final victory in 2010. Unfortunately in between those successes the Kiwi’s at times were very disappointing. Their World Cup Final loss last year to Australia seems to have been the final straw.
It will be interesting to see who the New Zealand Rugby League gets to coach the Kiwi’s now. There will be no shortage of terrible, under-qualified candidates that will line up for the job.
I personally think that Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary would be perfect for the job if he chooses to apply for it. He was the Kiwi’s assistant coach at last years World Cup so he has already worked with the players in the side and will probably already have his own ideas about changes he would make to the Kiwi’s side and set up.
What happens to Stephen Kearney’s coaching career from this point on is anyone’s guess. Losing the Kiwi’s coaching role is a huge blow and he is unlikely to get another coaching job in the NRL.
His time at the Parramatta Eels very poor although it must be said that Ricky Stuart took the club after and managed to make them even worse. If Stuart can find another job maybe Kearney can too.
