League: Nikau among the final four for Kiwi coaching job

Tawera Nikau

The New Zealand Rugby League has shortlisted four applicants for the Kiwi coaching job. Assistant coaches Brian McClennan and James Leuluai, Auckland coach and development officer Stan Martin, and former Kiwi Tawera Nikau will be interviewed next week.

A decision on who will replace Daniel Anderson is expected the following week if the selection panel's choice is ratified by the league's board.

Culled were former assistant Kiwis coach Gerard Stokes, New Zealand A coach Phil Prescott, former Junior Kiwis coach Gary Kemble, ex-Warriors coach Mark Graham and prospective partner Sam Stewart, former Kiwi centre Richie Blackmore, Wellington coach and NZRL development officer Paul Bergman, an unidentified applicant working in rugby and one prankster.

* Warriors centre Tony Martin is out for the season after being admitted to hospital for neck surgery yesterday.

Martin, who has not played since being injured during the club's away win over Brisbane in March, had initially hoped to be back in action later this year.

But a series of scans and consultations resulted in the decision for him to have fusion surgery on a bulging disc.

Martin said the specialist had told him that he would be able to continue playing after the operation, and he was already looking ahead to next year.

Martin, a member of the Melbourne Storm's grand final-winning side in 1999, joined the Warriors last year from the London Broncos.

Captain Steve Price will have surgery on his right knee today.