Noble job under threat at Wigan

Noble is out of contract at the JJB Stadium at the end of the season

The future of Wigan coach Brian Noble is under consideration after it emerged his job was offered to New Zealand's World Cup-winning boss Stephen Kearney.

The Warriors are currently languishing in 10th in the Super League, despite a recent run of six wins in nine games.

And BBC Sport understands former Hull FC forward Kearney was offered the job by Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan.

However, Kearney has declined to enter talks to take over from Noble, whose deal expires at the end of the season.

Kearney's agent Chris Orr revealed he had decided not to enter into contract negotiations for fear it would cost him his role with the New Zealand national side.

Kearney is out of contract at the end of this year's Four Nations tournament in Europe, but it is understood the New Zealand Rugby League are keen to finalise a new deal.

606: DEBATE Does anyone know if any decent coaches will actually be free for 2010 or are we just hoping to throw a few quid around as usual? Wiganarebest09

And NZRL general manager Peter Cordtz said: "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.

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

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

"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."