Kiwis World Cup winning coach Stephen Kearney says he was stunned to learn he had received the ONZM (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit) in this year's Queen's Birthday honours.
The recognition comes a little more than six months after Kearney, 36, coached the Kiwis to their historic 34-20 victory over Australia in the World Cup final in Brisbane.
"I really find it difficult to come up with the right words to describe what this all means," Kearney, a former Kiwis captain said.
"It's extremely humbling that I should be singled out. "
In some ways I feel a little bit embarrassed to be recognised in this way but at the same time I'm naturally very proud that our game should be honoured.
"I'm proud for my family, friends, former team-mates, coaches and everyone involved in rugby league in New Zealand because this is what this award is about.
"It honours them more than me and I thank everyone who has helped me along the way."
New Zealand Rugby League chairman, Ray Haffenden said Kearney deserved the recognition.
"There's not enough we can say about his contribution to rugby league and for what he did in helping the Kiwis to the biggest achievement in our history.
"Stephen and the Kiwis have been acknowledged in various ways since their success in Brisbane and this award really caps it all off. "
Kearney became assistant coach with National Rugby League club Melbourne Storm in 2006 after finishing a 13-year top level playing career which featured 45 tests from 1993-2004, 264 NRL appearances for Western Suburbs, the Warriors and Melbourne from 1992-2004 and a final season with Hull FC in the English Super League in 2005.
He made his debut as Kiwis coach for the Centenary test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground last year.
Kearney experienced defeat in that first outing and also had a second straight loss to Australia in the Kiwis' opening match at the World Cup in October.
Kearney, aided by Australian coaching legend Wayne Bennet, turned the team around and they went on to beat Papua New Guinea 48-6 and England 36-24 in their remaining pool games.
They defeated England 32-22 in the semifinals and then Australia in the decider.
After their victory, the Kiwis were among the four finalists in the Team of the Year category at the Halberg Awards dinner in February while Kearney was one of four finalists for the Coach of the Year accolade.
