Rugby League: Michael Maguire engages ex-skipper Nathan Cayless

Nathan Cayless has joined as assistant coach. Photo / Getty Images

Former New Zealand World Cup winning captain Nathan Cayless has been appointed as an assistant to Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire ahead of the upcoming Denver test against England.

The former Parramatta front-rower, who captained more games than any other NRL player, is currently coaching the Wentworthville Magpies - the Eels' feeder Intrust Super Cup side - and last year coached the Junior Kiwis.

Cayless joins fellow Kiwis assistant coach Ben Gardiner, who has been kept on after serving alongside former Kiwis head coach David Kidwell throughout last year's failed World Cup campaign, as Maguire prepares for the June 23 test at Mile High Stadium.

The 40-year-old's appointment ensures Maguire has a respected former New Zealand skipper on board as he looks to restore pride to the black and white jersey after their embarrassing quarter-final exit at the hands of Fiji last November.

Cayless famously led New Zealand to World Cup glory over Australia in 2008, among 39 tests for the Kiwis, and played 259 games for Parramatta during a 14-year career between 1997 and 2010.

Maguire's off-field team is now complete, with former Manly and Canterbury trainer Don Singe serving as high-performance coach and veteran strength and conditioner Sean Edwards coming on after stints with the Gold Coast, South Sydney, North Queensland and Canberra.

"The whole staff has NRL experience at the highest level," said Maguire.

"My two assistant coaches, with Nathan Cayless coming on, his time as a New Zealand captain and also the experience he's gained now from being an assistant coach and development coach at Parramatta, there's going to great opportunities to develop his coaching whilst working with the New Zealand team.

"Ben Gardiner worked with myself at Souths for five years and was a big part of a lot of success there."