NRL 2017: Warriors coach Stephen Kearney confirms wife’s battle with breast cancer

WARRIORS coach Stephen Kearney has confirmed his wife Piri has been undergoing lengthy treatment for breast cancer over the past NRL season.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney looks on.

WARRIORS coach Stephen Kearney has confirmed his wife Piri has been undergoing lengthy treatment for breast cancer over the past NRL season.

The diagnosis came days before Christmas last year, New Zealand’s the Herald on Sunday reports.

Kearney has been living in Auckland since joining the Warriors last October, while his wife and two daughters stayed in Brisbane where the girls were settled in high school and university.

The former Parramatta coach had taken on an assistant role with Brisbane alongside mentor Wayne Bennett.

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Warriors coach Stephen Kearney.

The breast cancer was caught early and Piri Kearney underwent radiotherapy treatment from February.

Kearney did not want to discuss the personal matter but did confirm his wife was in remission.

The 45-year-old took over the Warriors job from Andrew McFadden and announced in September last year he would step aside as Kiwis Test coach to concentrate on the Auckland-based NRL team.

It’s been a tough year both professionally and personally for Kearney. The club lost their last nine games in the regular season to slump to a 13th place finish.

The Warriors haven’t tasted finals success since 2011, when they lost the grand final to Manly.

Originally published as NRL 2017: Warriors coach Stephen Kearney confirms wife’s battle with breast cancer