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The New Zealand Warriors are seemingly on the verge on undergoing a major shake-up in the coming days, with reports surfacing claiming coach Andrew McFadden is about to be replaced.
The Daily Telegraph‘s Michael Carayannis is claiming current New Zealand international coach Stephen Kearney will be named as McFadden’s replacement as early as tomorrow morning.
EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Kearney to replace Andrew McFadden as coach of the Warriors https://t.co/c0Fpwsn4CD via @dailytelegraph @telegraph_sport
— Michael Carayannis (@MCarayannis) September 12, 2016
The news caps a tumultuous day for New Zealand rugby league, after there were early reports claiming former star Parramatta and Manly playmaker Kieran Foran is headed to the club on a one-year, $600,000 deal.
McFadden took the reigns at the Warriors during the 2014 season, taking over from Matt Elliott, but has failed to guide the side to the finals for the last two years. This past season, in particular, was a disappointment for the New Zealand-based franchise, who came in with high hopes for 2016 thanks to the signings of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke.
However, Tuivasa-Sheck was rubbed out of the season with a knee injury early on, and the Warriors were unable to put together a consistent string of form, losing four or their last five matches to finish three points adrift of a finals spot.
McFadden still has a year to run on his contract, and he could remain at the club in a different role.
Kearney has enjoyed a successful tenure at the helm of the New Zealand national side, having guided them to the world number one ranking, but he is expected to call time on his international role in order to take up the job with the Warriors, leaving the Kiwis without a coach before next month’s Four Nations tournament.
Prior to taking up coaching, Kearney plied his trade as a second-rower for Western Suburbs, Melbourne and the Warriors, the latter for whom he played 79 games.
Kearney has also been an assistant coach at the Brisbane Broncos since 2013, and the Telegraph is reporting he has informed the club of his intention to take the Warriors’ job.
If both Kearney and Foran are headed to the Warriors in the coming days, the club will not only boast a coach with an impressive (albeit limited) international resume, but also one of the strongest spines in the NRL, with Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback, Foran and Shaun Johnson in the halves, and Luke at hooker.
Make sure you keep your eyes locked on The Roar as we bring you all the latest updates from the story
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