Kearney Signed as Kiwi Coach through to 2013 Cup

Kearney Signed as Kiwi Coach through to 2013 Rugby League World Cup

Auckland, New Zealand, October 08, 2009 – World champion coach Stephen Kearney today signed a new four-year contract through to the Kiwis’ World Cup title defence in 2013.

The announcement came as the Kiwis assembled to prepare for their 2009 Four Nations campaign, beginning with a camp in Auckland ahead of their one-off Test against Tonga in Rotorua next Wednesday (October 14).

It’s reason for double celebration for Kearney (37) coming just three days after he savoured more NRL grand final success as Melbourne’s assistant coach in Sunday’s 23-16 win over Parramatta.

“It’s such a huge honour and a thrill being Kiwi coach,” he said.

“To have the backing of the New Zealand Rugby League’s board to continue on a long-term basis gives me confidence we can build on what we have started. I’m really grateful for the support.

“I’ve said it before that winning the World Cup was great for everyone involved in the group, for our game and for our country but it has gone.

“We have to keep working to prove we can be consistently competitive. We also have to continue to do all we can to develop new test players. That’s what we’re committed to achieving in the Four Nations over the next few weeks.”

NZRL chairman Scott Carter said the board viewed Kearney’s extended time in the role as critical to the game’s development.

“Stephen isn’t just the coach of the Kiwis – he is a key figure in our total strategy,” he said.

“At a time when we’re going through a transitional phase, putting new reforms in place as a result of our review, he’s a vital leader who has done so much to both elevate and enhance the game’s image.

“What he and the Kiwis deliver at the top end has an enormous knock-on effect through all layers of the sport, helping us to create a sound foundation for a healthy future.”

In signing his new contract, Kearney coaching term is set to cover six years, a career span bettered only by Frank Endacott (1994-2000) in the modern era.

NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle said Kearney had contributed significantly to a new optimism in the code.

“While he has barely started at this level he has already given us something unique as the only Kiwi coach to win the World Cup but he doesn’t want to rest on that,” said Doyle.

“The board’s decision to promote Stephen last year proved to be a masterstroke and now he has the security of knowing he can plan with a long-term goal in mind.

“His work with both the Kiwis and Melbourne has shown Stephen is one of the most capable coaches in the game right now and we’re fortunate we’ve secured him for the long haul.”

Next Wednesday night’s clash against Tonga will be Kearney’s ninth as Kiwi coach, a total which would grow to 13 should the Kiwis reach the Four Nations final in Leeds on November 14.

He has joined a number of former Kiwis who have gone on to coach New Zealand, his time following a 45-test playing career from 1993-2004 and almost 300 top-level games in the NRL and the English Super League. He won an NRL premiership as a player with the Storm in 1999 and has been involved as assistant coach in each of their four successive grand final appearances since 2006 with victories coming in 2007 and this season.

STEPHEN KEARNEY

Born: June 11, 1972
Birthplace: Paraparaumu, NZ
Coaching Career: Melbourne Storm assistant coach 2006-2009
Kiwis head coach 2008-2009
2008 World Cup champions
Overall Record: 8 Tests, 5 Wins, 3 Losses
New Zealand Clubs: Kapiti Bears, Randwick Kingfishers
NRL Career: 264 appearances, 1992-2004:
Western Suburbs: 46 games, 1992-94
Warriors (Club Number: 11): 79 games, 1995-98
Melbourne: 139 games, 1999-2004
NRL Points: 148 (37 tries):
Western Suburbs: 24 points (6 tries)
Warriors: 44 points (11 tries)
Melbourne: 80 points (20 tries)
English Super League: Hull FC, 2005:
22 games
16 points (4 tries)
International Career: 45 tests for Kiwis, 1993-2004
36 points (9 tries)
Kiwi captain 2 tests, 1993 and 1997
Kiwi Number: 640

ENDS

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