Stephen Kearney resigns as New Zealand coach for Warriors role
Monday 12 September 2016 23:37, UK
New Zealand international rugby league coach Stephen Kearney has resigned with immediate effect to take over at the New Zealand Warriors.
Kearney, 44, joins the Warriors on a three-year deal having been in charge of the national side since 2008.
During his maiden year as head coach, Kearney led the side to their first World Cup series win and took them to No 1 in the world for the first time.
"Stephen has always been open about wanting another NRL head coach position and securing his old club means a lot to him," said New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Alex Hayton.
"Stephen wants to concentrate on his new full-time responsibilities and feels he cannot commit 100 per cent to the Kiwis at this time.
"He leaves a legacy that will be hard to match, both as one of our greatest players and coaches."
Kearney had signed a new deal with NZRL in March 2015 to take him through to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
He leaves with a record of 23 victories from his 42 Tests, making him the Kiwis' most successful coach.
New Zealand next face Australia in Perth on October 15, before defending their Four Nations title in England, as the search for a new coach starts in earnest.
