The Penrith rugby league coach Ivan Cleary has been named as assistant coach for New Zealand for this year's World Cup campaign.
Cleary, who coached the Warriors for six years, will work with Stephen Kearney as the Kiwis attempt to win back-to-back World Cups for the first time in their history.
Cleary says he watched the Kiwis in the ANZAC test and thought they can win the World Cup again.
Kearny says Cleary understands their culture and is respected by the players.
The Rugby League World Cup is in Britain at the end of October.
Another Australian, Wayne Bennett, assisted the Kiwis when they won the World Cup in 2008.
