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.
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
Sylvester
Guest
Two words: Robson and Wright. The beginning and the end of McFadden. Kearney, not really a fan, even as Kiwis coach.
Dan
Guest
Good appointment and will be even better if they allow him to keep his Kiwi's Head Coach role as it will give extra motivation to the NZ players to perform. this is a team that should be perennial top 4.
Ferret
Guest
Bennett doesn't suffer fools lightly and he has kept Kearney at the Broncs for the past three years. So I reckon Kearney must be doing something right. Who knows what happened at the Eels given the schemozle the Admin was then. Kearney has the respect of the kiwi players and that's more than half the battle.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Hardly surprising.Kearney has the Kiwi job,he would at least know how to relate to most of the guys ,firstly from a cultural perspective. He should have learnt a thing or two from Bennett. They should have been in the 8,despite the loss of RTS.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Stephen Kearney - soon to be ex-coach of the Warriors
Jacko
Guest
NO THANKS. People who walk out once should never be invited back. He had a year still to run on his contract last time. I would rather see ANYONE other than Cleary. Now Cleary junior, thats a different story
Jacko
Guest
Isnt he playing play maker at the Titans?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Stuart got left with a box of live grenades after Kearney had already done a demolition job on the place though, the recruiting they did with him as head coach was just poor and some positional choices made after that were even worse (trying to make Hayne a 5/8th was probably the most memorable flop).
offsider
Guest
Any mention of Ivan Cleary going back to warriors.
Jacko
Guest
He has had 4 years under the Storm and Broncos coaches since then. You would think that they are reasonable places to learn. Also his NZ success has helped but that is more about a camp than a year-round slog. Still, Cant do much worse
Jacko
Guest
Certainly McFadden had to go. A real shame he cost the club Hurrell's services forever but get him out before he replaces everybody with Johnothon Wright clones. The guy cant coach. As for Kearney well Im not convinced he is the answer but at least, like Ricky Stuart. he will have an afinity with the culture. Time will tell
Dave Tekani
Guest
1 RTS 2 lolihia 3 Fusitua 4 Kata 6 Foran 7 Jhonson 8 Liliman 9 luke 10 Veti 11 Thompson 12 Hoffmann(c) 13 Mannering 14 Roch 15 Vatuvai 16 Matilino 17 lisoni Need another quality prop and Vatuvai is only good 4 impact now and lucky hes on the bench 2many errors
Doug Graves
Guest
Fair enough McFadden had to go, but this could be the last chance saloon for Kearney as well. I'm not sure taking the perennial underachieving and coach sacking happy warriors is a great move for him.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
You forgot to mention his time at Parramatta. He seemed to be completely out of his depth. Hope he has matured as a coach.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I don't think the Eels are a good measuring stick of coaching success....Ricky Stuart seems to be going ok with the Raiders. I think a lot to do with the amount of respect they get from the players and support from the board. In this case I think Ricky at Raiders and Kearney at Warriors is a better fit.
Joe
Roar Rookie
If both Foran and Kearney sign up I think it will be excellent news for the Warriors. I think Kearney will get more respect from the Warriors than he did at the Eels. He's also coached a number of the senior players in the kiwi setup as well so has a relationship there already. He really needs to stamp his mark though by first getting the team super fit no ifs no buts. He has been at the Storm as an assistant so knows exactly what levels of fitness are required for a first grade side to challenge for the premiership. McFadden just for playing Jono Wright should have been removed long ago. With Tui Lolohea to centre and Fusitua to wing they will have a deadly backline combo and backup for fullback and 6 in case Foran does another runner. Some of the young forwards have really put their hand up this year starting with rookie Bunty. Weirdly though I think I was writing a very similar comment to this when they signed RTS and Luke last year. I think I said top four last time but this time will tone down my expectations and say top 8.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
After what Kearney managed at Parramatta, I'd be hoping the Warriors pass on him if I was a fan of them...
Stu
Guest
Not sure how I feel about it. Hoping he can have similar success as with the kiwis of using the spine of RTS, Foran, Johnson & Luke. Might be able to attract Sam Moa too
Scott Pryde
Expert
Agree with sacking McFadden, but really don't know that Kearney is a good option to take over the reigns in 2017... In fact, I think if I was an NZ supporter I would prefer McFadden over Kearney.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good luck...