THE New Zealand Rugby League would not stand in the way of Kiwis mentor Brian McClennan accepting the Sydney Roosters or Cronulla coaching jobs.
The Roosters yesterday announced the appointment of a sub-committee to identify possible candidates to replace Ricky Stuart next season and McClennan's name has emerged as one likely to be on their short list.
The Sharks have also established a number of working committees to expedite a review of the club's football operations that has cast doubt over the future of coach Stuart Raper.
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson remains the favourite for the Roosters job but he still has another year to run on his contract with the Super League leaders.
It is understood 39-year-old Anderson plans to return to Australia by the end of next season at the latest as his daughter is due to start high school in 2008 - but if he cannot gain a release from the final year of his contract, the Herald has been told that McClennan may be targeted.
NZRL chairman Selwyn Bennett was unaware of any approaches to McClennan by NRL clubs but said it was inevitable that he would eventually be lost to the Kiwis after last year masterminding Australia's Tri-Nations downfall - the first time the Kangaroos had a lost a series or tournament since 1978.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Bluey was offered a job like the Roosters or the Sharks; it would only be natural, wouldn't it," Bennett said.
"I think it is a natural progression for him, so we wouldn't have a problem with it. That's what our pathways are all about, progressing up the ladder. He would go with our blessing."
If McClennan was to take up a job in Australia or England, he would have to stand down from the Kiwis' post as the NZRL has a rule that the New Zealand coach must reside in the country.
Australia and New Zealand will both begin naming train-on squads next week, with former Queensland Origin representative Nathan Fien tipped to be the Kiwis hooker.
Fien, who played for the Morons in 2001, qualifies for the Kiwis through a New Zealand grandmother and he is likely to be joined in the train-on squad by Warriors teammates Ruben Wiki, Brent Webb, Louis Anderson, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei and Simon Mannering.
Warriors captain Steve Price is in contention for a place in the Australian team, coached by Stuart.
In a statement issued last night, the Roosters said no decision on Stuart's replacement was anticipated until the end of this month, with the sub-committee to investigate international and local coaching models for the club's 100th season next year.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have reportedly fielded inquiries on behalf of up to six past and present NRL coaches, including Anderson and another former New Zealand coach, Graham Lowe.
Stuart's name has also been linked to the job if Cronulla decide to part company with Raper, who will be hoping his side can tonight avoid a club record 10th consecutive defeat at Toyota Park.
In other news, St George Illawarra second-rower Matt Bickerstaff has agreed to terms for a two-year deal with Canberra. The Raiders yesterday extended the contract of former Newcastle prop Dane Tilse until the end of the 2010 season.
Sacked Brisbane back-rower Neville Costigan signed with Canberra earlier this week, but former teammate Brett Seymour is yet to decide his future after also being shown the door by the Broncos and is negotiating with the Sharks.
Cronulla yesterday lost NSW Origin back-rower Paul Gallen and former Australia prop Richard Villasanti to injury for the clash with the Raiders, while Fien has withdrawn from tomorrow's match against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
After releasing Villasanti earlier this season and sacking Misi Taulapapa and Sione Faumuina for alcohol-related offences, the Warriors are down to just 18 fit players and have recalled former Roosters winger Todd Byrne for his first appearance since suffering a broken arm three months ago.
The Roosters yesterday announced the appointment of a sub-committee to identify possible candidates to replace Ricky Stuart next season and McClennan's name has emerged as one likely to be on their short list.
The Sharks have also established a number of working committees to expedite a review of the club's football operations that has cast doubt over the future of coach Stuart Raper.
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson remains the favourite for the Roosters job but he still has another year to run on his contract with the Super League leaders.
It is understood 39-year-old Anderson plans to return to Australia by the end of next season at the latest as his daughter is due to start high school in 2008 - but if he cannot gain a release from the final year of his contract, the Herald has been told that McClennan may be targeted.
NZRL chairman Selwyn Bennett was unaware of any approaches to McClennan by NRL clubs but said it was inevitable that he would eventually be lost to the Kiwis after last year masterminding Australia's Tri-Nations downfall - the first time the Kangaroos had a lost a series or tournament since 1978.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Bluey was offered a job like the Roosters or the Sharks; it would only be natural, wouldn't it," Bennett said.
"I think it is a natural progression for him, so we wouldn't have a problem with it. That's what our pathways are all about, progressing up the ladder. He would go with our blessing."
If McClennan was to take up a job in Australia or England, he would have to stand down from the Kiwis' post as the NZRL has a rule that the New Zealand coach must reside in the country.
Australia and New Zealand will both begin naming train-on squads next week, with former Queensland Origin representative Nathan Fien tipped to be the Kiwis hooker.
Fien, who played for the Morons in 2001, qualifies for the Kiwis through a New Zealand grandmother and he is likely to be joined in the train-on squad by Warriors teammates Ruben Wiki, Brent Webb, Louis Anderson, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei and Simon Mannering.
Warriors captain Steve Price is in contention for a place in the Australian team, coached by Stuart.
In a statement issued last night, the Roosters said no decision on Stuart's replacement was anticipated until the end of this month, with the sub-committee to investigate international and local coaching models for the club's 100th season next year.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have reportedly fielded inquiries on behalf of up to six past and present NRL coaches, including Anderson and another former New Zealand coach, Graham Lowe.
Stuart's name has also been linked to the job if Cronulla decide to part company with Raper, who will be hoping his side can tonight avoid a club record 10th consecutive defeat at Toyota Park.
In other news, St George Illawarra second-rower Matt Bickerstaff has agreed to terms for a two-year deal with Canberra. The Raiders yesterday extended the contract of former Newcastle prop Dane Tilse until the end of the 2010 season.
Sacked Brisbane back-rower Neville Costigan signed with Canberra earlier this week, but former teammate Brett Seymour is yet to decide his future after also being shown the door by the Broncos and is negotiating with the Sharks.
Cronulla yesterday lost NSW Origin back-rower Paul Gallen and former Australia prop Richard Villasanti to injury for the clash with the Raiders, while Fien has withdrawn from tomorrow's match against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
After releasing Villasanti earlier this season and sacking Misi Taulapapa and Sione Faumuina for alcohol-related offences, the Warriors are down to just 18 fit players and have recalled former Roosters winger Todd Byrne for his first appearance since suffering a broken arm three months ago.
