New Zealand coach David Kidwell has appointed Justin Morgan and Willie Poching as his assistant coaches for next month’s test against Australia and the Four Nations tournament in England.
Current Hull KR assistant Poching has spent the last 17 years involved in British rugby league, but the former New Zealand and Samoa international will now also work in the international arena alongside the newly-appointed Kidwell.
He will be working with Morgan – the former Hull KR head coach who was released by New Zealand Warriors at the end of the season which saw Stephen Kearney replace Andrew McFadden, who was kept on as an assistant. Morgan will work with the backs, while Poching will work with the forwards.
Prior to that, he held assistant roles at Melbourne Storm between 2014-2015 and Canberra Raiders in 2012-2013, having also spent six years in charge of Hull KR in England.
“Justin brings great experience holding a head coaching position in Super League and being involved with the Storm and Warriors,” said Kidwell.
The Kiwis play the Kangaroos on October 15 in Perth before opening their Four Nations campaign two weeks later against England in Huddersfield.
“Willie has so much experience as an assistant coach in the Super League and as a former Kiwi and captain of Samoa he knows what international footy is all about,” Kidwell added.
“Both of these guys are great people who will compliment my coaching style.”
“We are very pleased that David has been able to secure the services of two experienced coaches for our upcoming campaign,” said NZRL boss Alex Hayton.
“During the off-season we will, as usual, review the year with the coaching staff and management team and once complete, confirm all our appointments to take us through to the World Cup.”
The full Kiwis squad will be named after the NRL Grand Final on Sunday.
