No one is likely to congratulate New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney this week, so allow me to be the exception. Well done bro, if I may call you that in Kiwi-speak.
Through your selections and non-selections, you have done your level best to bring international rugby league to its knees at a time when the code had a chance of making some positive and significant strides in the eyes of potential viewers around the globe.
A few months ago, Kearney’s New Zealand team did exceptionally well to reach the World Cup final, but was blitzed by a white-hot Kangaroo combination. Absolutely no shame in that. The next time they go around? He has named a second string line-up that is likely to get lapped by those pesky Kangaroos again – providing the Aussies have their minds on the game.
By now, everyone knows New Zealand was down in class because of injury to the likes of Kieran Foran, Issac Luke, Manu Vatuvei and Frank Pritchard, but the decision to overlook the experience and class of NRL premiership stars Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Frank Paul Nuuausala and Jared Waera-Hargreaves is a nonsense.
“We picked the side on form and picked the side with the future in mind,” Kearney said. “We made a decision six weeks ago that we were going to pick a team based on the future.”
All well and good coach, but you won’t be a part of that future. Your coaching record isn’t exactly flash at any level and now you have alienated (and insulted) a number of seasoned performers at the very time when you need them to put their bodies on the line for the Kiwi team.
Kearney lamely told reporters the New Zealand Rugby League was building for the future. Surely, you don’t do that sort of thing against Australia.
“We’re thinking 12 months, 24 months, 36 months in terms of the Kiwi jumper and so Sonny (Sonny Bill Williams) wasn’t considered for selection,” he said. “It’s a matter of assessing what we think is best for this Test match.”
The whole scenario stinks and league fans aren’t being served up the best team New Zealand can muster at Allianz Stadium on Friday.
I am not saying the players are second rate – six talented rookies were chosen. I am saying it looks perfectly clear that some of them won their jumpers because of some misguided agenda by the coach and his selectors.
This whole business is not good enough, coach Kearney. Once the Australians have chalked up another cricket score under the guise of ‘Test match rugby league’, the powers that be will make a similar assessment of your worth.
This is supposed to be the Test arena Mr Kearney – no place for petty politics, no place to exercise personal grievances or conduct experiments. Feel free to take a bow for the disservice you have done to NZRL and take a look at what many irate and bitterly disappointed New Zealand supporters are saying.
By overlooking the obvious to allegedly prepare for the future, you have cheapened the value of the Kiwi jumper.
Dubz Wichman
Guest
All you guys should shut up baby kiwis scored more then the world cup kiwis
Cedric
Guest
He sacked the others on form, well if these young guys get smacked he'll have to sack them as well. I can't believe these guys are all sacked on form, aparently SKD was in Bali so he appeared to know he was on the outer. All the commentators in Oz are in a state of bewilderment. Benny Ikin last night mentioned JWH in the same breath as Talis. 2Moro morning I'll start my prayers.
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Well, at least SBW gets to walk out of the rugby league test arena as a loser - something all Aussies can be proud of.
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
I agree with JACK. His performance at Parramatta was hardly reason for him to coach his national side. Next please.
Gus Paella
Guest
Agreed.
Elma Dudd
Guest
JWH would get a spot in the Aussie side planko ..
dsf
Guest
Wouldnt he pick taumalolo then? Dont think john, havili, hiku, proctor and bromich are gonna be near SOO selection.
JZ
Guest
i personally think the kiwis are looking to the future. in the past they have held of giving these young guys a test jumper & it has bitten them on the bum. now James tamou & Joush paparli plays for Austraila. so i guess his just making sure he dosnt loose any more stock to Mal Meninga.
killaku
Guest
Who cares?They would have been ridden even if those other players were picked..Good onya Stevie boy
dezza
Guest
None of those three players are a big loss and hargreaves would have to be the only one to warrant selection (just) This article smacks of a typical roosters fan expecting it all their way. Ever the medias darling
Eddie
Guest
I'm relieved Shaun Kenny Dowall didn't make the squad! Tad overrated IMO.
Sylvester
Guest
Would anyone honestly be making such a big deal about the non-selections if Foran, Matulino, Luke, Pritchard, and Vatuvei were in the 17? My guess is no. The supposedly best-available Kiwi team got smacked a mere few months ago. What's that saying about the definition of insanity again?? For the record, I would have selected JWH. The story I read today said his international stats weren't up to scratch. It's quite possible for players not to translate club form into rep form. SKD has defensive issues so they've gone with a more defensive centre pairing to try and counter the Aussie backline. FPN I've never really rated. It sounds like SBW wouldn't have played anyway, for whatever reason. I'm not sure his return to union is a good enough reason not to selected, but that's me. Steve Hansen was criticised for selecting Andrew Hore for the ABs at the end of last because it was known he was retiring and others have been dumped for that reason (ie Jerry Collins), so it's not without precedent.
yo
Guest
It wasn't too difficult for NZ to win the World Cup when they only had two teams to compete against really and the better of the two was coached by Ricky Stuart :lol: Many regional coaches could have achieved that.
dsf
Guest
+1 yeah these roosters boys arent messiahs - glenn is more of a loss and maybe sebastian ikahihifo would have been a nice addition. Our right side looks strong but the left edge is quite underwelming with beale and nightengale, no real punch. Winterstien would have been perfect on the wing he has really improved since his bronco days and what happened to steve matai is he with samoa?
xavialonso
Guest
Cut the guy some slack. After all, Kearney did win a World Cup and a four nations title with NZ as coach. He is one of the Kiwis most successful coach of all time. I prefer to wait to see the results Kearney's strategy before making any judgement calls. But its obvious this could go one of two ways. It could either end up a masterstroke should NZ win we will all now and forever label him a genius; or it could cost him his job and reputation should the whole thing blow up in his face when they lose. We will all know by halftime.
Muzz
Guest
Don, SKD didn't go to the WC and is back in form and wasn't selected.So definitely nothing to do with Stillnox.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
This game has become a Mickey Mouse affair, why on earth is the Anzac Test match not played on Anzac weekend ? The interest levels seem to be reasonably low amongst many supporters including myself. I'll still watch it however without the Roosters contingent it is a farce. Kearney building for the future ? JWH and SKD are 25/26, how young do they have to be ? These guys have clearly rubbed him the wrong way. This doesn't do the game any good at all. Why wasn't SBW picked ? This would have been a great opportunity to see him play his last game for the Kiwis, not to mention he is a gun player.
mike
Guest
They had the chance to market this game as SBWs last test game in league and bring in the fans, but they didnt choose him because they're planning for the next RLWC!!!! I mean, 1 game that's 4 years away from the next cup isnt going to make this kiwis team world beaters or even prepare them for such greatness!!! Sheer stupidity & wasted oppurtunity. RL shooting itself in the foot yet again while v other codes snicker in the background.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Kearney may not be a great coach but the man is not an idiot..it is obvious that something has happened that means Kearney simply will not work with certain players and the NZRL is obviously standing with Kearney rather than the players. Remember this mob did not exactly cover themselves with glory with their meek capitulation in the World cup final ...it was as every bit as bigger mismatch as last Sunday Mornings world title fight.So why not move on?Williams is heading back to Rugby next year anyway - The Australian pack HUMILIATED THE KIWI PACK IN THAT GAME so why not move on rather than flogging a dead horse.?
Melon
Guest
Didn't realise SKD and JWH were put out to pasture already, wonder if they missed the memo too?