SYDNEY—The respective employers of Wayne Bennett and Stephen Kearney today endorsed them as Kiwis rugby league coaches, confirming they would release them to prepare for the Centenary Test in May.
Incumbent Gary Kemble ended his turbulent five-month stint yesterday when he resigned, saying it was in the sport's best interests, after senior players Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell gave a very public vote of no-confidence.
New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) chairman Ray Haffenden wouldn't speculate on Kemble's successor, but confirmed the board had scrapped the rule requiring the coach to reside in New Zealand.
That cleared the way for discussions with Brisbane Broncos and former Kangaroos coach Bennett, with NZRL sources confirming Melbourne Storm assistant Kearney and former Junior Kiwis coach Paul Bergman as his likely assistants.
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said Bennett was still uncertain of his potential role with the Kiwis when they last spoke on Friday, initially believing it may just be as an advisor.
Cullen would have his regular Monday meeting with Bennett to discuss it further as NZRL officials prepare to fly to Brisbane to make a formal offer.
"I know Wayne definitely wants to discuss anything face to face with the NZRL, rather than over the phone," Cullen told NZPA.
"Our stance is to encourage our players and staff to accept further roles, so if a coach is offered a position it's very difficult to stand against them."
That would even mean granting Bennett leave for the week leading up to the Kiwis' Test against Australia in Sydney on May 9 when the Broncos are preparing for their NRL match the same weekend.
"It's not ground-breaking for us, it's only four or five days and our coaching structures are set up with 4-5 support coaches."
It is the Kiwis' only official Test before the World Cup in Australia in October-November, after the NRL season.
Melbourne Storm chief executive Brian Waldron said Kearney would also be granted a release in Test week, saying his club had a similar stance to the Broncos in encouraging players and staff to seek rep honours.
"It would make sense (to appoint Kearney)," Waldron said today.
"He's worked closely with (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy so he's been taught by the best and I know he's very proud of his country. It would be a wonderful experience for him."
Former Kiwis captain Kearney is only in his third season as a coach, having been sought out by Bellamy at the start of 2006. The Storm were beaten grand finalists that year then beat Manly in last year's grand final.
Kearney, who publicly backed Asotasi and Kidwell last week, and Bennett have refused to comment on any Kiwis coaching aspirations.
New Zealand's The Herald on Sunday reported today that Bennett had approached Kearney to be part of his team and also hoped to lure former captain Ruben Wiki out of retirement.
Kemble, who oversaw a 0-58 loss to Australia, a 0-3 series loss to Great Britain and a win over France, departed last night with a written statement taking a parting shot at Asotasi and Kidwell.
"As a former Kiwi player, I'd have to say it was very disappointing to see the way they handled the issue. They could have gone through other channels," Kemble said.
"... I want to see the Kiwis having the best possible chance of winning the World Cup and, to help make that possible, I've decided it's in New Zealand rugby league's best interests that I should step aside."
Haffenden said Asotasi and Kidwell's conduct "wasn't appropriate or acceptable".
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