The New Zealand Warriors have sacked coach Stephen Kearney, according to The Daily Telegraph's Buzz Rothfield.
BREAKING: @warriors have sacked coach Stephen Kearney
details https://t.co/xqSC5oTPXk— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) June 20, 2020
The decision was made after the Warriors were defeated by the Rabbitohs on Friday night 40-12 to slump to 2-4 on the season.
It is expected that assistant coach Todd Payten will coach the side for the remainder of the season.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga was surprised by the decision.
“I feel it’s a bit premature considering the challenges the Warriors have had to confront,” Meninga said on Fox Sports. “It’s a bit harsh.”
Kearney has coached the club since 2017.
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Loved him as a player
Coaching the warriors who’d want to do it
The team dynamics need a shake up, any coach will struggle with coaching this club. They have skill and x-factor in massive supply, but most of the time lack the work ethic to do the repetitive little things that is needed to consistently win.
Send in Brown or Griffin to shake it up and build a team and culture to win, then hand off to a coach who can claim the plaudits.
They need Toovey I think and some Dale Finucane and Josh Papalii type players