The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Tongan Taumalalo proof of Kidwell's Kiwis culture cringe

4th October, 2017
Advertisement
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Roar Guru
4th October, 2017
41
1485 Reads

Jason Taumalolo’s decision to quit the Kiwis and pledge his allegiance to Tonga shows there’s a serious cultural problem in the New Zealand setup, which could cost David Kidwell his job.

Since coming to the helm in 2016, Kidwell has just one win from six outings – and it could get worse at the Rugby League World Cup.

The Kiwis have been drawn in the group of death, alongside Samoa, Scotland and Tonga, which could see them struggle to reach the final stages of the tournament. Tonga boast a strong team, Samoa only narrowly lost to New Zealand in their last encounter, while Scotland drew with them in last year’s Four Nations.

Not helping is the fact that in addition to Taumalolo, big names such as Tohu Harris, Kieran Foran, Issac Luke, Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor are also missing.

It is symptomatic of what Kidwell is doing wrong, while other coaches such as Australia’s Mal Meninga and Tonga’s Kristian Woolf are succeeding.

Culture.

The word has come up recently in relation to Des Hasler’s stint at the Bulldogs, with the club opting to restore ‘culture’ to help them return to the top through appointing Dean Pay.

New Zealand face the exact same problem. Yes, Kidwell knows what it means to represent the nation at the highest level, but they need someone the playing group want to work for.

Advertisement

Kidwell has been overcoaching, something you shouldn’t be doing at an elite level. His team don’t need someone to teach them a completely new style of rugby league, they need someone who is able to effectively manage each player’s skills and guide them to deliver results.

[latest_videos_strip category=”rugby-league” name=”League”]

For that reason, the Kiwis need to start again, rebuilding the reputation that saw them win the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and hold global No.1 status in 2014 following their Four Nations victory.

New Zealand need a clean slate – and the man to lead that fresh start should be Nathan Cayless.

Cayless led his nation to victory at the 2008 tournament and the 39-Test veteran has dived into the coaching world as clipboard holder of the Wentworthville Magpies in the NSW Cup.

He knows the culture, he understands how to coach, but he’ll take a back seat and let the playing group do what they do best.

In a role similar to Wayne Bennett’s in 2008, the Kiwis need a coaching advisor that can help guide Cayless. The man to do that is Brad Arthur, someone who Cayless knows all too well as a member of the Parramatta coaching staff.

Advertisement

Arthur has turned the Parramatta Eels around in recent years, changing them from one of the competition’s cellar dwellers into a top-four force.

Another option is former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry. Henry has an 85.4 per cent winning record from 103 games and is someone the playing group respect and would want to play for.

Other options include Tim Sheens – a four-time premiership winner with the Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers, who kickstarted the Kangaroos’ current dynasty and recently helped Hull KR return to the Super League.

Daryl Powell is another choice, with the England-based coach turning Castleford Tigers from a village club on the brink of relegation to a championship side that is now the envy of the Super League.

Something needs to change or else New Zealand rugby league could crumble into irrelevancy.

close