KEY POINTS:
A new-look Kiwis will see Wayne Bennett as coach while Stephen Kearney and Paul Bergman are being lined up as his assistants. Also Ruben Wiki is considering coming out of retirement for the World Cup.
Bennett is expected to be confirmed as Kiwis coach soon and is understood to have approached Melbourne assistant and former Kiwi Kearney to be his assistant. Bennett wants a New Zealander to be his right-hand man and rates Kearney highly. It would also be a popular appointment with the players. Skipper Roy Asotasi told the Herald on Sunday in November that he believed Kearney would make a great Kiwis coach.
Bergman was Bennett's assistant with the All Golds and his appointment would validate New Zealand coaching pathways.
Perhaps the biggest inclusion though, would be the return of former Kiwis captain Wiki. The prop, who turns 35 tomorrow, retired from international rugby league after the Kiwis dramatic extra-time loss in the 2006 Tri Nations. He first played for the Kiwis in 1994 and holds the world record for tests with 55.
"Wayne said during the All Golds tour that he had only ever coached two warriors in his life," one source said.
"Shane Webcke and Ruben Wiki. He has huge regard for Ruben. He might have lost some of his powers as a player...but there are few prouder Kiwis than Wiki."
It's unlikely he would play in the Centenary test against Australia in Sydney in May and if he can't be convinced to play again, it's hoped he will take a formal role with the side to try to bring unity back to the Kiwis.
