Dewsbury coach applies for New Zealand job

Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison is one of four applicants for the New Zealand head coach position.

The Kiwis advertised for a new coach after Stephen Kearney’s contract ended after the World Cup in December, although Kearney has re-applied for the position.

The other two applicants are former Kiwi internationals Richie Blackmore and David Kidwell.

NZRL chief executive Phil Holden said: “We need to be clear that this process is not an indictment on Stephen Kearney’s performance as coach over the past six years. He has helped raise this programme to a higher level than it was when he arrived.

“But we were obliged to advertise this role once his contract expired and saw it as an opportunity to see who else was in the marketplace.

“It’s also an opportunity to scope out a succession plan – who can we begin developing as future Kiwis coaches?” 

Morrison, 37, is about to start his second season in charge of the Rams, after spending the last five years of his playing career in Super League with Bradford and Wakefield, retiring at the end of 2011.

He spent the following season as an assistant coach at the Wildcats.

The Australian played more than 200 games in the NRL for Balmain, North Sydney, North Queensland and Parramatta between 1996 and 2006.