KEY POINTS:
The Kiwis continued their rehabilitation yesterday when Dean Bell joined the coaching team alongside Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett.
The former New Zealand captain was named Kiwis football manager for the centenary test against Australia in Sydney on May 9 and, like Bennett, will then decide whether to continue to the World Cup.
Gordon Gibbons, who managed the Kiwis between 2000 and 2004, was also named as team manager, along with Simon Mayhew (doctor), Karl McDonald (physiotherapist), Hayden Knowles (head trainer) and Dayne Norton (trainer).
Bell said he was recently approached by Bennett, who is officially known as the coaching and management adviser but whom many believe is pulling the strings, and agreed once he received the blessing of Warriors management.
He returned to New Zealand in August to take up a position as Warriors community and development manager and this year will also act as the club's under-20s manager for their inaugural year in the National Youth Cup.
"I didn't know if I could fit it in with my job at the Warriors, which is my priority, but once I found out what the role entailed and the team being built around Stephen, I was pretty excited," Bell said.
"It's really only for the week we will be in camp and I will use my experience as a player and a manager to support Stephen and the rest of the team.
"I'm just like any other fan who has been disappointed in the recent performances of the Kiwis and the way the NZRL have handled a lot of issues recently.
"I wouldn't stand for [a lot of what has gone on] and I know the strong character Wayne Bennett is and he wouldn't stand for it either."
Together with Bennett, Kearney will have two of the biggest names in rugby league at his disposal and there is unlikely to be any problems with a lack of respect from the players - the main problem that contributed to predecessor Gary Kemble's downfall.
Bell played 26 tests for the Kiwis between 1983 and 1989 and was also Warriors skipper for their inaugural season in the Australian competition.
He played alongside Kearney and often roomed with him that year before two years as Leeds coach and six years working in Wigan's development programme.
