Taken from sportinglife.com

World Cup-winning New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney has turned his back on the chance to take over the reins at Wigan, according to a report in Auckland.

The Sunday Times in New Zealand claim that Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan had targeted Kearney, currently assistant at Melbourne Storm, as a potential successor to Brian Noble, whose contract is up at the JJB Stadium at the end of the year.

Kearney told NZRL officials of the "expression of interest" but his agent Chris Orr revealed he had decided not to enter into contract negotiations with Wigan for fear it would cost him his role with the New Zealand national side.

"Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan came out to Australia. He was looking at a few candidates and one of them was Stephen," Orr told the Sunday Times.

"We had a discussion but nothing further than that really because Stephen decided that, due to his commitments as New Zealand coach and the success he's had with the team, the time wasn't right to leave that job."

The New Zealand League, anxious to avoid a repeat of the messy Brian McClennan affair of two years ago when the then Kiwi coach quit to join Leeds, welcomed the news.

"It's great news and it's also not really a surprise either, given the way Stephen has conducted himself as Kiwis coach so far," said general manager Peter Cordtz.

"It's also consistent with what he has said to us about the Kiwis coaching role."

Kearney is out of contract at the end of this year's Four Nations tournament in Europe and it is understood the NZRL are keen to finalise a new deal.

Noble to the Roosters

Blimey, a bet Nobby feels just as unsettled as Myler at the moment.

no it's different for myler,he knows where his futures at.

Which is?

did`nt know i had owt in common with mr kearney

You can just imagine Lenagan stamping his feet, bawling: "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM? WE ARE RUGBY LEAGUE."

Nobody likes the pies though

Good call

How dare he turn down the biggest club in the world

Top sig euroboy...