NRL: Raiders' Morgan to interview for Warriors role

Raiders assistant coach Justin Morgan is shaping up as a frontrunner for the Warriors head coaching role. Photo / Getty Images.

Raiders assistant coach Justin Morgan is shaping up as a frontrunner for the Warriors head coaching role after being linked to an interview with the Auckland-based franchise within the next week.

The Canberra Times reported today that the Warriors originally contacted Morgan by phone to gauge his interest in the role but has since been invited to Auckland for a face-to-face interview.

Morgan and Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah did not want to comment when contacted by The Times yesterday.

Morgan shares a number of similarities with McLennan's predecessor Ivan Cleary - as both played at the Warriors during their 2002 campaign, which resulted in the club's first ever Grand Final appearance against the Roosters.

Morgan then went on to coach Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers from 2005 to 2011, before moving to Canberra to take a two-year contract with the Raiders as assistant to head coach David Furner.

Meanwhile Sydney radio station Triple M has added to the speculation with a report that Tim Sheens could be asked to leave his position as head coach of the Wests Tigers as early as today, and likely take up a role with the Warriors.

"Tim Sheens has to face the (Wests Tigers) board tonight and there are strong rumours that by tomorrow he won't be the coach of the Wests Tigers and he'll be going to the New Zealand Warriors," said NRL commentator Matty Johns.

-nzherald.co.nz