League: Lowdown on Kiwis prospects

Steven Kearney, who has lead the Kiwis to terrific highs and lows. Photo / Getty Images

The NZRL has started advertising for the Kiwis' coach and expects to have some overseas interest. Michael Brown takes a look at the three main contenders for the role from New Zealand.

Stephen Kearney - The incumbent

Age: 41

Playing experience: 45 tests for NZ (1993-2004), Wests (1992-94), Warriors (1995-98), Storm (1999-04), Hull (2005).

Coaching experience: Storm assistant (2006-10), Kiwis (2008-), Eels (2012), Broncos assistant (2013-).

The skinny: Kearney has been Kiwis coach since 2008. There have been some terrific highs in that time (2008 World Cup, 2010 Four Nations) but also some major disappointments (2013 World Cup, 2009 and 2011 Four Nations) and his record against Australia stands at only two wins, a draw and 12 defeats.

His record in 30 tests is 15 wins, 14 losses and one draw.

Kearney's contract expired following New Zealand's disappointing 34-2 defeat to Australia in last year's World Cup final but he's keen to continue, saying he has "unfinished business".

"I do the job because I love it," he said. "I want to see the Kiwis with the feeling we had in 2008 and 2010 and the joy it gave everyone involved in the game.

"It's a process and the goal is to be competitive with Australia every time we play them. It's very easy to look at the win-loss record, which ultimately you are judged on, but there are other factors that you don't see.

"We have some wonderful talent coming through and the picture is a lot bigger than the Kiwi team. It's about creating a legacy that's ongoing and the way it finished off for us [at the Word Cup] doesn't sit well with me."

There are many who believe it's time for a new coach to take over, but Kearney remains the favourite and is known to have considerable support within the NZRL and playing group. He's also hopeful, if reappointed, that Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will continue as assistant.

David Kidwell - The (likely) contender

Age: 36

Playing experience: 20 tests for NZ (1999-2009), Adelaide (1997-98), Eels (1999-00), Warrington (2001-02), Roosters (2002), Storm (2003-06), Rabbitohs (2007-09).

Coaching experience: Rabbitohs U20s (2010), Junior Kiwis (2010-11), Storm assistant (2011-13), Wests Tigers assistant (2014-).

The skinny: Kidwell hasn't yet confirmed his intention to apply for the job but admits he's tempted.

"I am definitely interested," he said. "If the opportunity arose, I would be the proudest Kiwi to do the job but I need to sit down with my family and Wests Tigers and discuss it with them."

Kidwell recently started work as Wests Tigers assistant after three years as assistant to Craig Bellamy at Melbourne. His family remained in Sydney during that time and he said it was "time to come home".

Kidwell has impressed in his short coaching career, taking the Rabbitohs' under-20 side to the Toyota Cup grand final (they were beaten by the Warriors) in his first year before taking over from Kearney as Storm assistant.

"When I became a coach, it was more the enjoyment of seeing players responding to you and the things you are implementing," he said.

"I aspire to be a head coach one day, and hopefully that will be in the NRL. It would be a great honour to be Kiwis coach one day.

"I played under one of the best modern-day coaches in Craig Bellamy and learned a lot when I was down there. It was a no-stone-unturned philosophy, hard work mixed in with a bit of fun. It's definitely one of the things I bring out in my coaching - being disciplined as well as having a happy environment that a team wants to play for."

Kidwell said he would consider a coaching partnership with Kearney at international level.

Richie Blackmore - The long-shot

Age: 44

Playing experience: 25 tests for NZ (1991-200), Castleford (1991-94), Warriors (95-96, 2001) Leeds (19972000).

Coaching experience: NZ Residents (2003), Manurewa (2004-05), Counties Manukau Maori (2005-06), Otahuhu (2006-10), NZ Maori assistant/co-coach (2008, 10), Auckland Vulcans (2011), Leigh Centurions GM (2012), Papakura (2014- ).

The skinny: Blackmore is the most experienced of the three, having coached since 2002.

In that time he's won two Fox Memorial titles with Manurewa (2005) and Otahuhu (2010), co-coached the New Zealand Maori to an 18-18 draw with England (2010), taken the Auckland Vulcans to the NSW Cup grand final (2011) and been general manager of UK first division outfit Leigh Centurions.

Missing from his CV is NRL experience, something highly valued by the NZRL, and it could count against him.

"Unfortunately, I think it will," he said. "It's something the NZRL seriously need to look at because, if that is the criteria, there aren't a lot of New Zealand candidates.

"I feel ready [to coach internationally] and have been for a number of years. I have been a head coach for the past 10-11 years. I felt I should start from the ground and build my way up. I believe I have done that and been successful with the teams and clubs I have been involved with."

Blackmore cited examples of coaches being given chances in Australia, like Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler, irrespective of their experience in the NRL.