Dolphins super coach Wayne Bennett has applied to replace Michael Maguire as New Zealand’s coach.
Bennett will finish with his NRL club at the end the season and is the leading candidate to land the Kiwis job, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The report said NZRL chief executive Greg Peters confirmed Bennett will get a formal interview, with the governing body keen to name Maguire’s replacement by the end of February.
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If successful, it will renew Bennett’s rivalry with Australia coach Mal Meninga who famously got the Kangaroos job ahead of him in 2016.
The duo could meet in the final of the 2026 World Cup which is expected to be held in the southern hemisphere after France pulled out of hosting it.
“I’ve expressed interest in the (New Zealand) job, yes,” Bennett told News Corp.
“I’ve spoken to the NZRL and I’m waiting for them to come back to me.
“This doesn’t mean I’ve got the job, there will be other applicants, but the point is I have expressed interest, the NZRL know that and they have a process going on, so I’m sure they will get back to me at some stage.
“I am waiting to see where it goes. I have been in contact with a guy to make it known I’m keen on the Kiwi job and let’s see what happens.
“I love a challenge.”
Bennett has a strong history with New Zealand and was a chief advisor to Stephen Kearney when the Kiwis shocked the Kangaroos to win the 2008 World Cup in Brisbane.
The other candidates for the role are Kiwi legends Nathan Cayless and Stacey Jones.
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