Kearney lays down law to Inu

Krisnan Inu is braced for his long-awaited recall to Test rugby league with a stern dressing down from Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney ringing in his ears.

Far from rolling out the red carpet for the gifted Parramatta Eels centre, Kearney was quick to tell Inu he needed to lift his game as the Kiwis chase a big improvement in their World Cup pool match against Papua New Guinea here on Saturday.

As if Inu didn’t need reminding.

He suffered from the classic second-up syndrome after a stellar rookie year in 2007, with his late-season form mirroring the Eels who staggered out of the NRL’s top-eight.

“I made him well aware that that was a bit of his own doing so it’s important he gets it right this week,” Kearney said.

“It’s his opportunity, and with Steve (Matai) missing out it’s a great opportunity for him to put what’s happened during the season behind him.

“I made it clear when we first came into camp, we had to put aside all the disappointments of all our own seasons, apart from Steve Matai (who won a premiership with Manly), and move onto our next challenge.”

That next challenge is to shake off a poor opening night in the 6-30 loss to Australia and stamp some authority on the tournament against the dangerous Kumuls, who won’t lack for speed and physicality but should be outclassed.

Inu won a recall for his third Test after Matai was suspended for one match for his high shot on Kangaroos’ forward Paul Gallen.

While it should only be a one-week reprieve with Matai and Jerome Ropati Kearney’s top centre pairing, Inu could well be involved at the business end of the tournament given Matai’s battles with injury late in the season.

The quietly spoken, churchgoing Inu, who postponed his two-year Mormon mission overseas to pursue a successful NRL career, had clearly taken Kearney’s words on board.

“It wasn’t my best season. I thought I could have done a bit better but that’s the past now,” said Inu, who is also likely to take goalkicking duties.

“We’re in the New Zealand camp so we’re just focused on the team we’re in now and what we can do.

“I’ve got my chance now and it’s something I have to take with both hands and hopefully play my best.”

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