League: Wiki steps into role with NZRL

Kiwis great Ruben Wiki will flex his muscles in the world of officialdom after being named New Zealand Rugby League's national high performance manager yesterday.

NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle said former prop Wiki, who turned 37 on Thursday, was signed to fill the vacancy created by Tony Kemp's appointment as football manager.

Wiki ended his international playing days in 2006 after a world record 55 tests, including 18 as Kiwis captain.

He finished his playing career at the end of the 2008 season after accumulating 312 National Rugby Legue appearances for the Canberra Raiders and the Warriors, easily the most in the competition by a New Zealander.

Kemp said Wiki's appointment rounded out a football department which could now set about the task of delivering on the NZRL's strategy.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney echoed Kemp's views.

Wiki will begin his new role next month.

- NZPA