Rugby League: How gamble led to remarkable change of fortunes for Kearney and Kiwis

Kiwis rugby league coach Stephen Kearney has four victories over Australia to his credit, a unique feat in the modern era. Photo / John Stone

In the space of 12 months, Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney has completed a remarkable transformation.

This time last year his stocks were at their lowest - but now he is on the brink of establishing a record that might never be beaten.

He already has four victories over Australia to his credit, a unique feat in the modern era. It was last achieved by the remarkable Jim Amos in the early 1950s and puts Kearney ahead of highly respected figures like Graham Lowe, Frank Endacott and Brian McClennan.

But there could be more chapters to come. He is in charge of a young Kiwis outfit, a team that will surely only get better. While history tells us the Kangaroos will always dominate the international game, the Kiwis could have plenty of memorable moments in the years to come, as the likes of Jesse Bromwich, Jason Taumalolo, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Shaun Johnson come into their prime.

A little over two years out from the 2017 World Cup, the New Zealand side is in a great space.

But with the golden glow of the Four Nations triumph still present, it's easy to forget how precarious Kearney's position was a year ago. The 2013 World Cup was an unmitigated disaster, with the one-sided defeat in the final one of the most disappointing results in New Zealand league history. The fallout continued with the Stilnox scandal and an extension to Kearney's contract was far from certain.

At that time the glory from 2008 and 2010, when Kearney's team achieved two major triumphs, seemed to be in the distant past. Instead critics pointed to his failures at Parramatta and a long losing streak against the Kangaroos.

Before the 2014 Anzac test it appeared Kearney might have lost his marbles. In a team already decimated by injury, he picked several rookies and unknowns.

It was a gamble that paid off, as the baby Kiwis came close to a rare upset. That camp laid the platform for a new environment and culture, which continued into last year's Four Nations.

"The Kiwis have always had a great culture but Mooks [Kearney] has taken it to another level," said Thomas Leuluai. "There is a real brotherhood here as well as genuine belief."