Vatuvei backs Kearney to succeed in NRL
Giant Kiwis winger Manu Vatuvei sees Wayne Bennett-like traits in Stephen Kearney and says the Kiwis mentor would revel in a head coaching role in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Kearney is tipped to ink a deal with the Parramatta Eels after the west Sydney club on Monday dumped Daniel Anderson following a disappointing season, with 10 wins from 24 matches and a 12th-placed finish.
Kearney, 38, has been Craig Bellamy's assistant at the Melbourne Storm since 2006 and head coach of the Kiwis since 2008. That year he took New Zealand to World Cup victory with Bennett, a six-time premiership winner with the Brisbane Broncos, as his coaching adviser.
Vatuvei, a key member of that World Cup squad, today gave Kearney a glowing reference, saying his credentials pointed to success at club level.
"He's already put his mark on the game and he's a well respected coach by all the players," Vatuvei told NZPA.
"Everyone listens to him and trusts he can take them to a different level because he's proven himself.
"He's been there and done that, as a player and a coach."
Vatuvei said Kearney was similar to Bennett, the current St George Illawarra coach gunning for a seventh title ahead of Sunday's NRL grand final against the Roosters, in that he had the utmost respect and trust of the players, who would do whatever they could to succeed for him.
The New Zealand Warriors winger also felt a head coaching role with the Eels could only be good for the Kiwis.
"Coaching at club level on a daily basis will make him even better," Vatuvei said.
"I think he'll just develop into a coach like a Wayne Bennett. He's a person who is always straight up with the boys and he's just so well respected."
Meanwhile, Vatuvei has shrugged off any fitness concerns ahead of the upcoming Four Nations campaign, saying he was over a niggling knee injury he carried during the back end of the Warriors' NRL season and was well rested.
The Kiwis squad are named on Tuesday with their opening match against England in Wellington on October 23.
They also play Papua New Guinea in Rotorua on October 30 and Australia at the revamped Eden Park in Auckland on November 6. The final is in Brisbane on November 13.
New Zealand failed to make the final of last year's tournament in England as Australia beat the hosts to win the title.
While respectful of England, Vatuvei felt Australia would again be the team to beat.
"It's going to be hard, they will never have a bad team, but we've shown we can match them more consistently than before. They don't give us a towel-up anymore."
http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/vatuvei-backs-kearney-succeed-in-nrl-3812331
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