New Zealand went from the apex of international rugby league to a complete crossroads in the space of a few weeks, when former head coach Michael Maguire announced his exit to take the NSW top job in 2024.
After five years in charge of the Kiwis, the 49-year-old has taken up on a multi-year deal with the Blues, opening the door for a new era for the national side.
Wayne Bennett confirmed he had applied for the role as he enters into his final season in charge of the Dolphins, yet it is Kiwi hero Stacey Jones who has reportedly grabbed the gig.
MORE: Sam Burgess drawing on the Wayne Bennett approach to succeed at Warrington
The Sporting News looks at the candidates for the Kiwis head coaching job below.
Stacey Jones
Jones is one of the most iconic Kiwi stars in history on the field, representing his country on 48 occasions over an 11-year span, as well as featuring for the Warriors in over 250 first grade matches.
While his head coaching experience has been limited to just 11 games in an interim capacity with the Auckland-based NRL franchise, he has worked with the club in assistant roles for the past decade.
NZRL boss Greg Peters has gone on the record saying they ideally want a Kiwi coach which was a sentiment echoed by Tony Kemp when he called for a local to replace Maguire, as he cited a lack of passion and understanding in the jersey from the Aussie coach.
"The Kiwis should actually have a Kiwi in charge," Kemp said before Maguire’s side flipped the script on Australia during the Pacific Championships final.
"Where you get the difference [in player performance] is them understanding what that black jersey means.
"Madge doesn’t know where these kids come from, what they’ve been through and the importance that’s carried with that jersey."
Jones has a great rapport with a number of the Kiwi players and clearly has the respect of everyone in the organisation given his long association with them over the years.
According to Stuff, Jones' appointment will now be confirmed at a New Zealand Rugby League board meeting, where he will become the first New Zealand-born coach to lead the national side since David Kidwell.
Jones is expected to be handed a deal which will take him through at least to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Wayne Bennett
The legendary coach revealed he had spoken to NZRL about taking on the job following their Pacific Championships triumph last year.
The 73-year-old has worked with the Kiwis in the past and with an enormous amount of experience, Bennett was seen as a strong candidate for the role.
"I’ve expressed interest in the job," 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."
Bennett hasn't featured in the international arena since leaving his post as England head coach in 2020.
Nathan Cayless
Already entrenched in the Kiwis system, Nathan Cayless is another Test great and someone that the hierarchy were reported to have been looking at as a long-term successor for Maguire.
A former captain of the national side during their 2008 World Cup triumph over Australia, Cayless made 39 appearances in the black jumper and is highly regarded across the ditch.
The 45-year-old recently coached the New Zealand A outfit in their clash with Tonga A, as well as assisting the first team during the Pacific Championships.
