Former South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Kiwis.
Maguire, 44, coached the Rabbitohs to the NRL premiership in 2014, and has beaten out the likes of former New South Wales boss Laurie Daley, and ex-Manly Sea Eagles duo Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey to take the vacant New Zealand job.
The Kiwis have been without a head coach since the disappointing end to last year's Rugby League World Cup, falling at the quarter-final stage while suffering historic defeats to both Tonga and Fiji in the process under David Kidwell.
“Pride in that jersey isn't just for players, it's for the whole of New Zealand," he said in a statement.
"That's the task facing us all at the refreshed NZRL. I'm really excited to join Reon and the team to help build a winning culture that brings New Zealand back to the top of the rugby league world.
“2017 may not have gone in favour of the Kiwis but the beauty of that, is the opportunity to reflect and reset. My full focus now is on the Kiwis and what we can do to build processes that manifest success which is centred around the respect for the black and white jersey,” Maguire said.
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