CONCERNS about the stress associated with coaching the Kangaroos in a demanding end-of-season tournament could prompt ARL directors to consider appointing someone not in charge of an NRL team when they discuss the future of Ricky Stuart at next week's AGM in Brisbane.

Stuart's reaction to Australia's World Cup final defeat by New Zealand, which included his abusing ARL chief executive Geoff Carr on the field after full-time and then verbally attacking referee Ashley Klein and another English official the following day in their hotel foyer, has highlighted just how much pressure the Kangaroos coach is under.

Wayne Bennett also reacted adversely when he was in charge of the Australian team that lost the 2005 Tri-Nations final to the Kiwis in England by walking out a side entrance upon his return home to avoid the waiting media. The new St George Illawarra mentor said this week that the strain of coaching the Kangaroos was greater than at Origin level.

With officials wanting to develop the international game, Australia have been scheduled to play in a new Four Nations tournament at the end of the next three seasons in the lead-up to the 2013 World Cup and there is a belief that the job could be too demanding for an NRL coach after a gruelling premiership campaign.

"Maybe it is something we need to look at," said QRL general manager Ross Livermore, who is on the ARL board. "I'm sure there are people out there who would be up to doing the job that aren't coaching in the NRL. We actually looked a few years ago at putting someone on a retainer to coach Australia who would do promotional work during the year, but at the time the ARL didn't have the funds."

However, Livermore had reservations about Queensland Origin coach Mal Meninga doing both the Maroons and Kangaroos jobs after the experience of 1985, when Terry Fearnley had charge of the NSW and Australian teams. "After the friction that created the ARL has a sort of a policy that you can't have a state coach as coach of Australia," he said.

But QRL chairman John McDonald did not believe handling both the national and state jobs would be a problem for Meninga. "If he [Meninga] wanted to be put up we would be happy to nominate him," McDonald told AAP. "He could do both. He would not be required to relinquish his State of Origin position."

While Stuart has not announced whether he intends to continue coaching Australia, Livermore said: "Ricky was appointed as the Australian coach until the end of the World Cup and we're now looking for 2009, so it's a case of whether we invite him to do the job."

 Cronulla chief executive Tony Zappia confirmed fallen star Greg Bird must attend a specially convened Sharks board meeting tomorrow night, at which his future at the club could be decided.

Cronulla officials reportedly want to sack Bird and ask the NRL to ban him for two years. While Zappia would not comment on the mooted ban, the Sharks boss made it clear Bird must plead his case.

"The club loves Greg Bird's contribution that he has given the club," Zappia told AAP. "But right now we are just trying to work out this issue so the club can move forward. I can't pre-empt anything. He will be given the opportunity to provide the club with an explanation of whatever occurred. And I am sure there will be some questions the board will want to put to him. It [whatever action against Bird] will take its course over whatever transpires on the evening."

Bird has been stood down from playing or training by the Sharks since August after being charged with the alleged assault of his girlfriend Katie Milligan. He is set to appear in court on April 27.

Bird is expected to attend tomorrow night's meeting with his manager Gavin Orr and legal representative Les Nicholls.