NZRL announce Kidwell as coach

David Kidwell has been announced as coach of the New Zealand Rugby League national side.

His tenure will conclude at the end of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

The thirty-nine year old was favoured to step up from the assistant coaching position to the lead role after Stephen Kearney’s appointment to the NRL New Zealand Warriors side earlier this week.

Kidwell played 25 test matches for New Zealand between 1999 and 2008.

In departing Kearney becomes the most successful New Zealand coach having won two Four Nations (2010, 2014) and winning their first World Cup in 2008.  He won 22 of the 41 matches he coached at international level.

New Zealand’s next international is set down for Saturday October 15 when they meet Australia in a friendly to be played at nib Stadium in Perth.