Anderson Is Favourite For Kiwis
Coach

Daniel Anderson looks to be a home run for the Kiwi coaching job if he wants it and if the Warriors let him.

The New Zealand Rugby League met in Auckland on Friday and it is prepared to bypass a selection process and appoint an outstanding candidate if one emerges.

Anderson is the only New Zealand-based coach head and shoulders above his peers.

NZRL president Selwyn Pearson confirmed the board was "prepared to show some guts" and make an immediate appointment.

If Anderson was in the race, appointing a selection panel and asking all the candidates to front would be a farce.

It would simply be a waste of time and Pearson is conscious of not wanting to raise the ire of other candidates.

Pearson said he has yet to receive an indication of whether Anderson will be a candidate. The board will release the job description tomorrow.

The NZRL is walking a delicate line over the appointment process.

It wants to be seen to be giving all candidates an even shot at the top job but it doesn't want it to develop into a shambles.

Applications will close on Friday with Pearson hoping the new coach can be finalised during the following two weeks.

Graeme Norton, Gerard Stokes, Gary Kemble and Warriors' assistant coach Tony Kemp are expected to be candidates.

The Warriors, however, may be uncomfortable about Anderson and Kemp lining up against each other.

It is also understood the Warriors' majority owner Eric Watson would need to approve of Anderson chasing the national job.

The NZRL is seeking a new coach after it decided not to roll over the contract of former coach Gary Freeman.

It has also ruled the new coach must be based in New Zealand.