League: Kelvin Wright appointed new head coach of Kiwi Ferns

Kelvin Wright has been appointed new head coach of the Kiwi Ferns. Photo / Photosport.

Former Kiwis and Warriors assistant coach Kelvin Wright has been appointed as the new head coach of the Kiwi Ferns.

Wright will take the reins from former coach Tony Benson who steered the Kiwi Ferns through to last year's World Cup final defeat to Australia, after replacing Alan Jackson in the role last March.

Wright previously served as an assistant to former Kiwis coach and Stephen Kearney and at NRL level to former Warriors coach Andrew McFadden, and has filled several roles at national level, including head coach of the Junior Kiwis and Junior Warriors, since his career began in 2011.

His appointment comes ahead of this weekend's National Women's Tournament, where he will head a selection panel looking to identify the top 30 female players ahead of announcing the Kiwi Ferns wider squad following the tournament final next Monday.

"I'll bring fresh ideas and experience which I've gained through a number of different campaigns," said Wright.

"On a technical level, I'll be challenging the players to improve in all areas to take our game to the next level. We are very lucky to have a tremendous amount of Kiwi talent across New Zealand and Australia who will be competing for spots in the squad."

As a part of the trans-Tasman triple-header being staged in Auckland on October 13, the Kiwi Ferns will take on the Australian Jillaroos ahead of the Kiwis clash against the Kangaroos.

Wright says the road to the October match starts this weekend when six teams including last year's champions, the Counties Manukau Stingrays, Akarana Falcons, Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions, Canterbury, Wellington Orcas and the Auckland Vulcans teams compete at Cornwall Park.

"I'm sure we'll see quality games played at a tremendous pace," he said. "I'll be looking for speed, skill and players who compete on every play with a strong desire to win."

Following the tournament, Wright will support the NZRL in appointing the remainder of the Kiwi Ferns management team.

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