Wakefield closing in on targets to replace coach Kear

France chief Bobbie Goulding and former Leeds Rhinos and Australia star Matt Adamson are understood to have already been approached as John Kear’s replacement for 2012.

Trinity chief executive James Elston and owner Andrew Glover have also conducted interviews with further applicants in Australia via Skype as well at home with significant interest in the role.

However, the new appointment may have little scope to fashion his squad in his own style given the majority of Wakefield’s recruitment – including Leeds Rhinos’ Ali Lauitiiti and Hull KR wing Peter Fox – has already been completed.

Ex-Great Britain scrum half Goulding played briefly for Wakefield during 2000 and has been in charge of Les Bleus for the last two years after being in charge at Rochdale Hornets.

However, the 39-year-old, who enjoyed great success as a player with Wigan and St Helens before joining Leeds, has no Super League experience as a coach.

Adamson was part of the Rhinos side that won their first Grand Final in 2004 and was an assistant at Penrith Panthers under former Bradford coach Matthew Elliott.

Meanwhile, current coach Kear was scathing of the officials following Saturday’s 34-30 loss against Castleford Tigers.

He was dismayed that a touch judge missed Richard Owen’s foot sliding in to touch ahead of Nick Youngquest’s second-half try which helped aid Tigers’ revival.

“I thought we didn’t get the rub of the green,” said Kear. “I thought the effort was magnificent but it’s a massive wrong decision when a guy steps in touch and it’s plain for all to see.

“Then they score in the next set. That’s why people are out there policing the sideline, but he’s missing it.

“He put his foot in touch, Cas score, that’s a six-point turnaround from that sole decision.

“We’ve had four wallopings - three of them against Warrington, Saints and Wigan - and to get a response like that I was very proud of the players,” he said.

“But you need a bit of the rub of the green as well and I don’t think we got that. It was very harsh.

“It’s heartbreaking when we’ve done it tough.”