World Cup-winning New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has turned his back on the chance to take over the reins at Wigan, according to a report in Auckland.
The Sunday Times in New Zealand claim that Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan had targeted Kearney, currently assistant at Melbourne Storm, as a potential successor to Brian Noble, whose contract is up at the JJB Stadium at the end of the year.
Kearney told NZRL officials of the "expression of interest" but his agent Chris Orr revealed he had decided not to enter into contract negotiations with Wigan for fear it would cost him his role with the New Zealand national side.
"Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan came out to Australia. He was looking at a few candidates and one of them was Stephen," Orr told the Sunday Times.
"We had a discussion but nothing further than that really because Stephen decided that, due to his commitments as New Zealand coach and the success he's had with the team, the time wasn't right to leave that job."
The New Zealand League, anxious to avoid a repeat of the messy Brian McClennan affair of two years ago when the then Kiwi coach quit to join Leeds, welcomed the news.
"It's great news and it's also not really a surprise either, given the way Stephen has conducted himself as Kiwis coach so far," said general manager Peter Cordtz.
"It's also consistent with what he has said to us about the Kiwis coaching role."
Kearney is out of contract at the end of this year's Four Nations tournament in Europe and it is understood the NZRL are keen to finalise a new deal.
Joined: Oct 02 2007 Posts: 5678 Location: Where ever the wind blows me.
Blimey, a bet Nobby feels just as unsettled as Myler at the moment.
Tony Smith: "I thought the fans really made the difference on Sunday. At times I looked at the South Stand and thought WOW those guys are rocking in there, I like that."
Joined: Oct 02 2007 Posts: 5678 Location: Where ever the wind blows me.
the tache is back wrote:no it's different for myler,he knows where his futures at.
Which is?
Tony Smith: "I thought the fans really made the difference on Sunday. At times I looked at the South Stand and thought WOW those guys are rocking in there, I like that."
Joined: Feb 22 2007 Posts: 3414 Location: Doha, Qatar - Home of the 2022 World Cup and now relocated to the M62 corridor
Good call
Fat blokes in the mud, flat caps, bogs that drain pi55 directly onto your boots - Now it's all 'Big Ask', 'Arm Wrestle', 'Collision' 'Contact' 'Facials' 'Upper Body Strength' 'Big Units' 'Scooting from Dummy Half' 'Energy Levels' 'Laying the Platform' ‘Middles’ and 'T-R-Y'. Let’s not forget resilience.
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