Monday, February 12, 2018
Update on NZRL 2017 World Cup review
The New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) Board today announced that it has received a draft Preliminary Summary Report of a
comprehensive review of the Kiwis’ 2017 Rugby League World Cup campaign.
Prepared and presented by independent panellists Tim Castle and Raelene Castle, the full report is expected to be
finalised and presented at the next NZRL board meeting on 28 February, said NZRL Chair Reon Edwards.
“A summary of the review panel’s findings is scheduled to be made public early in March 2018, however the Board has
agreed to make two immediate changes.
“The first is that the Kiwis Coach Eligibility Rule has been reviewed and the Board has agreed to implement a
recommendation from the review panel and immediately change this rule to allow for international as well as New Zealand
candidates to apply.
“While this change is designed to ensure the best possible person is appointed to the job, it should not be read in any
way as a comment on the World Cup coach's past performance, nor on his possible re-appointment in the role due to his
appointment having concluded at the end of the 2017 World Cup,” Edwards said.
The Board’s second announcement is that it will, in line with another recommendation made by the review panel, establish
an independent panel tasked with providing a recommendation for Head Coach of the Kiwis to the NZRL board.
Edwards confirmed the 2017 World Cup review findings were still scheduled to be released concurrently with the four-year
Strategic Plan developed during 2017.
“As I said before Christmas, the review will input into the NZRL’s Strategic Plan, which is well evolved and has been
focusing on the delivery of better outcomes for the game.
“The plan establishes our strategic direction – setting out significant steps to build on and improve rugby league in
New Zealand, from a core focus at grassroots level through to our high performance programmes and the Kiwis.”
#ENDS