KEY POINTS:
While the New Zealand Rugby League went into damage control over the handling of the Kiwis coaching change yesterday, ex-coach Brian McClennan went on holiday with his family.
The Leeds Rhinos club finally confirmed it had signed McClennan to a two-year deal starting on December 1.
Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said the club made a formal approach to the NZRL as well as to McClennan. It was aware McClennan wanted to continue coaching the Kiwis and was happy for him to do that.
"We are delighted to have secured one of the world's most respected coaches, and I am sure Brian's style and experience will be well suited to Leeds Rhinos and Super League in 2008," Hetherington said.
"It has been an exhaustive search, and it was so important to find the right man. I believe coaching standards at the top level are better than ever, and there were some outstanding candidates available.
"The Leeds Rhinos coaching job is accepted as a very demanding one, and in Brian McClennan we have someone who fits the bill perfectly."
The NZRL yesterday rebutted McClennan's claim that he was pushed out the door and pointed to its increased pay offer as evidence of its desire for him to complete his contract after the World Cup in 2008.
NZRL director of football Graham Lowe yesterday spoke with Frank Endacott and Howie Tamati, the other two ex-Kiwis coaches on the selection panel that will recommend a new appointee for the job. Extended talks are planned this weekend to settle on a selection and appointment process.
Lowe said they would not make a rushed decision despite just 14 weeks remaining before the test against Australia on October 13 and the England tour that follows.
"We have to get the right person."
The rest of the framework around the Kiwis remained in place and they would not panic.
The trio would gather information on a range of candidates, conduct interviews and then recommend just one name to the board, Lowe said. There were no pre-conceived ideas.
Former Kiwis Duane Mann and Gary Kemble, who was Junior Kiwis coach, were among those voicing interest.
Tamati, the convenor of selectors, has been contacting current players to inform them of the situation.
The selectors remain unchanged: Darrell Williams, Daryl Halligan and Tony Iro, as well as the NZRL's high-performance director, Tony Kemp, who was added in April on Lowe's recommendation.
McClennan, meanwhile, was in Northland with his family.
