League: Better culture and values see Kearney get two-year extension as Kiwis coach

Kiwis interchange Tohu Harris and coach Stephen Kearney after winning the Four Nations last year. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Masterminding last year's successful Four Nations campaign and improving the Kiwis' team culture and values were key factors in coach Stephen Kearney earning a two-year contract extension with the New Zealand Rugby League.

Kearney's existing contract was due to end this year but his reappointment will see him lead the side through to the 2017 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

Improved performances since the 2013 World Cup were pivotal to Kearney holding his post but New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Phil Holden highlighted the growth in the team's culture as being equally important.

"The results stem from the culture," Holden said. "We've made a massive change and we took some big learnings on board from 2013 and we want to keep building and moving that forward.

"The performance and the results of the Four Nations were an instrumental driver in that. And effectively that sealed the deal in terms of my thinking and what we needed to do."

The former Kiwis captain was first appointed in 2008, when he guided the team to World Cup glory, and the new extension will see him become the first national coach to spend a decade at the helm.

His role was threatened following the Kiwis' failed 2013 World Cup campaign, when they were humiliated 34-2 by the Kangaroos in the tournament final at Old Trafford.

Scandal and controversy then enveloped the side when it was later revealed some players were mixing sleeping pills and energy drinks in the lead-up to games, and the culture of Kearney's side came under fire.

Following an extensive review process, Kearney held on to his job and was awarded another two-year term in charge, but an emphasis on raising team standards and values together with improved on-field performances was made clear.

A proud and committed showing from a largely inexperienced Kiwis side saw them shorten the gap against Australia with a 30-18 defeat in last year's Anzac test in May, before they advanced through October's Four Nations tournament undefeated.

Kearney downplayed the significance 2013's disappointments had in driving the Kiwis to new heights but acknowledged the cathartic process that had occurred within the side.

"To the players' credit, they're the guys who have got to front up to train and play and I think the proof is there for everyone to see [that changes and improvements have been made]," he said.

Ahead of the Anzac test in Brisbane on May 1, Kearney was impressed with the performances of New Zealand players over the early rounds of the NRL. Form will dictate his selections.

"I write down a list of 17 every week and then there's probably half a dozen guys who are there or thereabouts and there are no real changes to that group of 20 to 25 players. A couple of changes [are possible] if someone jumps out of the box, but I've got a bit of a picture."