New Australian rugby league coach Ricky Stuart vowed to bring the passion back to the Kangaroos after being appointed as Wayne Bennett's successor on Monday.

The Roosters and NSW State of Origin mentor said his coaching style would focus on tradition and passion for the green and gold jersey - qualities that New Zealand had shown more of in their Tri Nations triumph.

"A couple of things I did with Origin last year in regards to the tradition of the game, the tradition of the team, the passion for the jumper ... I would like to take some of those ideas into the Australian team," Stuart said.

"You see the excitement, the passion they (New Zealand) played with. I think it's a real lesson for the Australian team."

The Australian Rugby League moved with lightning speed to replace Bennett, who only announced his resignation on Friday in the wake of the Kangaroos' first series loss in 27 years.

Stuart edged out a group of contenders that included Bennett's assistant and Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, North Queensland's Graham Murray and former Australian coach Chris Anderson.

"There's a match being played against New Zealand - who just beat us quite convincingly - on May 5 next year so we thought it was desirable ... that he be appointed and he start thinking about that," ARL chairman Colin Love said of the speedy decision.

Stuart said international rugby league had entered an era which Australia will find more difficult to dominate.

"I think we're moving into a new era with international football," he said.

"We see teams such as England, and New Zealand - after its successful Tri Nations series - having so much improvement.

"They've got the ability to beat Australia."

Stuart's rise through the coaching ranks has been little less than meteoric.

Given the Roosters' top job in 2002 after a successful stint with the Bulldogs' Jersey Flegg side, he took the Bondi club to a premiership in his first year at the helm.

He succeeded Phil Gould as NSW coach this year and took the Blues to a 2-1 State of Origin series victory.

The former maestro halfback, who played nine Tests, said he would "change a few things" in the Kangaroos set-up - and that could include its playing staff.

"It's probably a time where it's a chance to go in and change a few things and make sure that we can regain the No.1 spot in the world," he said.

"We've got to look at the early season form. We've got a number of players who are probably fighting for their spot because of the quality of depth we've got."

Stuart has relinquished his role with NSW with City coach Murray on Monday announced in the Blues' job.

While Kangaroos coaches are appointed on a year-by-year basis, Love said he expected Stuart to take the team through to the 2008 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the ARL said Les Geeves and Des Morris had been nominated by the QRL as Australian selectors to join NSW panel members Bob Fulton and Bob McCarthy.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP