League: Leuluai set to pip McClennan for Kiwi role

James Leuluai is expected to be handed the Kiwis coaching job for this year's Tri-Series.

In a stunning move, Brian McClennan is likely to be passed over for the role.

Although 11 candidates have applied for the job left vacant by the departure of Daniel Anderson to St Helens, it's understood the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) has decided Leuluai is their man. He's expected to be given the job ahead of McClennan, who most knowledgeable observers agree is the most qualified given his success as a coach.

The Herald on Sunday understands that at least two of the three-member sub-committee, appointed to make a recommendation on the next coach to the NZRL board, favour Leuluai. The six-strong board is unlikely to fly in the face of the sub-committee's recommendation.

NZRL vice chairman Selwyn Bennett is chairing the sub-committee and is joined by fellow board member Keith Burgess and 1991-92 Kiwis coach Bob Bailey. It's understood both Bennett and Burgess favour Leuluai, while Bailey could plump for McClennan.

At board level, Keith Pittman and Peter Douglas are understood to be in the Leuluai camp, Andrew Chalmers favours Wellington Bartercard Cup coach Paul Bergman, while chairman Selwyn Pearson is unlikely to go against the sub-committee's recommendation.

McClennan is not short of backers and is believed to have the support of Anderson. Kiwis skipper Ruben Wiki wrote in his Herald on Sunday column last week that McClennan was the best man.

However, the board may give Leuluai an abbreviated initial term - for the Tri-Series only. That would then allow them to appoint a new coach if the former Kiwi centre struggled with the job.

Bennett said he was "rather chuffed" with the quality of applicants for the job and that the sub-committee would make a shortlist of between four and six candidates tomorrow. They would then be interviewed on Friday before an appointment as early as next week.

Bennett admitted that Leuluai had "flown under the radar" as most of the talk centred on McClennan. "I think James has been discounted too easily," he said.

"James and Brian have been doing their apprenticeship under Anderson, maybe James more so than Brian considering James is coming into his third year and Brian is into his first. But we also have Gary Kemble, who was a junior Kiwi coach and the understudy to Frank Endacott for a few years. I wouldn't discount any of them, to be honest."

Along with Kemble, Richie Blackmore, Mark Graham, Tawera Nikau, Paul Bergman and Gerard Stokes have applied, as well as a prank one from a Robert Goorhuis, who was a Dutch composer.

One thing that could count against McClennan is his limited role with the Kiwis considering he returned home early from the UK after his wife became ill. McClennan was hesitant to speculate about who would be appointed, saying: "I'm very keen to get the job and am confident I'd do a good job."

The Kiwis open their Tri-Series campaign against Australia in Sydney on October 15 before the return game the following week in New Zealand. They then head to the UK where they will play another game against the Kangaroos and two tests against Great Britain.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY