If the ARLC want Craig Bellamy as coach of the national side, they have some serious convincing to do.
Bellamy has refused to buy into media speculation claiming the ARLC is keen to tempt the premiership coach into swapping the purple of the Storm for the green and gold of Australia.
With Tim Sheens's contract set to run out at the end of the year so too may his seven-year stint in the role.
On Sunday the Kangaroos slumped to their third consecutive loss to the Kiwis, leading to calls for an overhaul of the national team.
Currently in his 12th season at Melbourne, Bellamy is contracted until the end of 2016 with an option to extend that deal until 2018.
Should he not take up that option it could free up the master coach for the next Rugby League World Cup in 2017.
However that was a possibility Bellamy was in no mood to entertain on Thursday.
"I don't really think about that, at the end of the day I coach the Melbourne Storm and that is all I am worried about," he said.
"What is spoken about in the newspapers doesn’t concern me so I am just worried about coaching the Storm."
"I'm not quite sure exactly what the future holds but I've got the option to finish at the end of 2016 or the end of 2018 so that is still a long way away. I'm not concerned about things that are not in my control so all I'm worried about is getting the Storm ready for a game on Sunday against Parramatta."
When asked if he would attempt a duel-coaching role, as he did for three years with NSW Bellamy was clear about whether to go down that path again.
"I tried that once I wasn't very successful at it. No would be the answer to that," he said.
Speculation will no doubt continue to circle but Bellamy's immediate focus is on overcoming the Eels this weekend.
That task is helped with the return of Billy Slater to fullback after a month out with a shoulder injury.
Despite naming Slater at fullback on Tuesday, Melbourne admitted their star still had a few boxes to tick before facing Parramatta.
"We think he will play but having said that we need to get through today and Saturday. This time two weeks ago we were probably thinking the same thing but he didn't end up playing," Bellamy said.
"He's done most of that training that we need him to do but still with some of the contact stuff we need to make sure he is 100 per cent there.
"It (the injury) has certainly lingered longer than we first thought… hopefully fingers crossed he will get through but like I say we've still got a couple of training sessions to get through."
The Storm take on the Eels at Pirtek Stadium this Sunday at 4pm.
