League: Kearney aims to revive floundering Eels

Stephen Kearney has a World Cup, Four Nations title and two National Rugby League premierships - admittedly marked with an asterix - among his coaching credentials.

Yet the most challenging chapter of his career unfolds with a trial match in Rotorua tomorrow.

The hit out between Parramatta and the New Zealand Warriors is Kearney's first in charge of the Eels, the dysfunctional club he joined when Daniel Anderson was ousted last September.

Kearney has been a de-facto head coach at the Melbourne Storm while Craig Bellamy was on State of Origin duty but now, after serving a five-year apprenticeship, the 47-test Kiwi is poised to make a name for himself in the cut throat environment of first grade.

Kearney only recently moved into his new property in West Pennant Hills though he has already made himself at home in Sydney's inner west.

Back at his desk after overseeing a 7am training session, Kearney felt the transition had progressed as smoothly as possible.

"The attention we seem to get is different to some of the other Sydney clubs. It's a different dynamic to Melbourne too, so it's taken time to adapt."

Still, Kearney realised what he was committing to when signing a three-year deal - that bronze statute near his office of Ray Price holding the Eels' last premiership trophy aloft in 1986 is a constant reminder of how long the fans have waited for a fifth title.

Bookies estimate that time lag extends to at least 2012. They rate the Eels as third favourites - to suffer the most losses.

Only North Queensland and Cronulla are bigger outside bets to contest the Grand Final, not that Kearney was willing to play the numbers game.

Asked what constituted an acceptable season, Kearney emphasised the basis of a coaching philosophy moulded by Bellamy and his other mentor Wayne Bennett.

"We want to be a tough footy team," he explained.

"My expectation is they'll walk off the field having given their absolute best.

"If we do that then we've achieved what we're after. Where that takes us? I can't tell you that right now."

Kearney would not attempt to replicate the Storm's blueprint at Parra - though a fearsome training regime was transferable.

The Eels were left gasping on Flinders Slope during Sydney's recent heatwave; Kearney, the consummate professional during his 288-game first grade career, shrugged.

"On my first day I told them it was going to be tough and for the most part the boys have really bought into it," he said, adding with a grin: "They're looking forward to playing because that means we're not training so hard."

Kearney was also keen to gauge how the squad - a disparate blend of star quality (Jarryd Hayne), durability (Hindmarsh) and the comeback kids, well men, Paul Whatuira, Carl Webb and Chris Walker - gel on the pitch.

Inevitably Kearney will be judged in the win-loss column just as club legend Mick Cronin, Ron Hilditch, Brian Smith, Jason Taylor, Michael Hagan and Anderson were during those winters of discontent post 1986.

But nurturing the next generation is another bottom line for the 38-year-old.

"It's a buzz getting an opportunity to shape the lives or these young men, to make a difference," he said.

Kearney was also gratified an old pro like Hindmarsh was also responsive to his methodology.

"When's he's asking questions, for me that's encouraging because here's a guy that still wants to improve.

"The guys in their first year should be looking at Nathan and saying to themselves 'S**t, here's a guy that still wants to make himself better'."

Kearney's long association with league has never lacked a sense of purpose and naturally it absorbs the bulk of his time, even more so now he occupies the top job.

But surely there must be a time to divorce himself from the game for the family's sake?

When the concept of relaxation was raised Kearney appeared quizzical, leaned back from his desk and laughed as photos of his loved ones scrolled on a digital photo frame.

"It's been difficult. I've basically been living out of a serviced apartment since the Four Nations.

"Normally downtime for me is to cook the family meal."

Meanwhile, the Origin Legends fund raiser for the Queensland flood victims suggested Kearney wasn't totally obsessed with his job.

The crowds assembled at Parramatta Stadium while Kearney was in his office but he wasn't drawn across the carpark.

"I'd been here all day so I didn't go,' he said, before revealing his real motive for driving home: "There was no one there I could recruit."

- NZPA