Tim Sheens may have coached his last senior game as Kangaroos officials ponder a plan to entice Craig Bellamy to Australia's top coaching job.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With Sheens' one-year contract extension to expire at the end of this year – and with Australia not playing a Test match until the mid-season clash against the Kiwis next year – Sheens seven-year stint as Kangaroos coach could be over. Fairfax Media has learnt Bellamy is the No.1 target to lead the Kangaroos on next year's end-of -year tour in England and into the 2017 World Cup, as they consider appointing a full-time coach for the first time.
Bellamy is contracted with the Storm until the end of next year and he has indicated he will step down as an NRL coach when his contract expires. That would mean he would have to juggle the role as Kangaroos coach and Storm coach for just one game next year before taking on the role in a full-time position as the fall-out to the Kangaroos' 26-12 loss to New Zealand on Sunday continues. Sheens and Bellamy share a long-term relationship with Bellamy playing his final season of first grade under Sheens at Canberra.
The Australian Rugby League Commission, which appoints the Kangaroos coach, will undergo a full review of the Kangaroos, who have lost their past three games against the Kiwis for the first time since 1953, including last year's Four-Nations final defeat.
Sheens wanted a three-year deal when his contract expired last year but was only given a one-year extension with officials wanting to see which coaches became available before making a long-term commitment.
The Kangaroos are in no rush to make a decision and with a clear international end of year calendar, a judgment is not likely until the end of the year. Although Sheens has worked solely with the Kangaroos since his sacking by the Tigers at the end of 2012, he was not deemed as an official full-time coach. He has acted as an ambassador for the NRL at several events including overseas tours. A full-time coach would work similarly to Origin coaches Laurie Daley and Mal Meninga.
Sheens has had a historic tenure as Kangaroos coach, highlighted by Australia's dominance during their 2013 World Cup success. Only Bob Fulton (40 Tests) has coached Australia more times, with Sheens winning 26 of his 31 Tests in control.
Meanwhile, Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is adamant his Kiwis career is not over. The prop has not played for New Zealand since their 2013 World Cup loss. He was overlooked for selection in successive mid-year Tests with suggestions he had fallen foul of coach Stephen Kearney. Waerea-Hargreaves wants to return to the Kiwis squad and add to his 16 Test matches when New Zealand travel to England at the end of this year.
"We've spoken a couple of times," Waerea-Hargreaves. "[Kearney] has told me what I need to work on. I don't think I'm on the out with the Kiwis. That's one of my main goals is to get back in the black jersey. I'll continue to work hard and I'll do everything I can to wear that black jersey again.
"A lot of people have their opinions. I've just got to work hard and communicate with all the coaching staff."
Waerea-Hargreaves pulled out of last year's Four-Nations tournament because of fatigue. He blamed an ongoing pectoral injury for his most recent selection snubbing.
"Carrying this injury didn't help my selection," Waerea-Hargreaves said. "I thought they were outstanding. They deserved to win."
