Thursday 26 March 2015 23:27, UK
Stephen Kearney will lead the Kiwis into the 2017 World Cup after the New Zealand Rugby League extended his contract by another two years.
Kearney, whose current deal was due to expire this year, has been rewarded for masterminding last year's successful Four Nations campaign in which New Zealand twice upset world champions Australia.
The former Kiwis captain was first appointed in 2008, when he guided the team to their inaugural World Cup glory, and he will become his country's longest-serving national coach when he leads New Zealand into the Anzac Test in Brisbane on May 1.
"After the disappointing end to the 2013 World Cup, I think we recognised the need to rebuild the Kiwis culture," said NZRL chief executive Phil Holden.
"We were pretty confident that Stephen was still the right man for that job, but needed to put the right structures around him to help him succeed.
"Winning the Four Nations showed that we are on the right track and it's appropriate that we give Stephen some job security, so he can build towards the next World Cup."
The Kiwis also face an end-of-season tour to England and another trip to the northern hemisphere to defend their Four Nations crown in 2016.
