NZ Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has reportedly been dumped, after his side limped to a 40-12 loss against South Sydney on Friday.
Australian media claim the former Kiwis captain and World Cup-winning coach has been shown the door midway through his fourth year in charge of the Auckland-based NRL side, compiling 34 wins, 45 losses and draw during that tenure.
This season, his team have won just twice in six games, albeit over a campaign severely disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
"Stephen was informed this morning that we needed to make an immediate change," says Warriors chief executive Cameron George. "It's a tough day for all of us, particularly after last night's performance.
"Stephen is extremely professional and has put in a huge amount of effort in the role, but along with the owners, we feel we need to make a change now in the best interests of the club.
"We're so grateful to Stephen for the dedication he has shown us in what have been difficult circumstances. His commitment, work ethic and concern for the wellbeing of the club, players and their families through this challenging year is testament to his character."
Assistant coach Todd Payten, who played 250 NRL games for Canberra Raiders, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers, will take the reins for the remainder of the season. He captured a premiership title with Wests in 2005 and was part of the North Queensland coaching staff when they won the 2015 Grand Final.
After taking the Kiwis to the 2008 World Cup, three consecutive test wins over Australia and 2014 Four Nations success, Kearney stood down from the national team in 2016 to take control of a club he had represented for four seasons (1995-98) as a player.
While his NRL record with the Warriors and Parramatta Eels has not matched his results on the international stage, Kearney, 48, has had more than his share of adversity this season, with the team based fulltime in Australia, while international borders are closed.
Injuries have decimated the roster and the club has had to loan and recruit players on the fly to keep their numbers up.
When COVID-19 closed borders in March, the Warriors stayed across the Tasman in a bid to keep the competition going, but were forced to return home, when play was inevitably suspended.
Last month, they were given special permission to fly back to New South Wales and resume training, notching up wins over St George-Illawarra Dragons and North Queensland Cowboys since.
But their defeats have been heavy - 26-0 against Penrith two weeks ago and then Friday's capitulation to the Rabbitohs.
After the latest lapse, Kearney suggested his players were struggling with being away from their families and hoped they would be reunited soon.
Throughout lockdown, Kearney has been separated from his own family based in Brisbane.
