Stephen Kearney is leading New Zealand rugby league towards the Promised Land but like the prophet Moses he probably should have brought a map and compass.
Since becoming the Kiwis coach Kearney has drawn a line in the sand. Unfortunately, it would seem that even he doesn’t know what that line represents.
Is it the type of line kids draw down at the beach, creating a trail through the sand with a piece of driftwood? Or does his line drawing hold greater significance?
Like the Israelites 3500 years ago the New Zealand coach has left a number of New Zealand’s rugby league players wandering in the wildness.
In 2014 Kirisome Auva’a looked like a player destined for international duties. Considering his stellar year and the Kiwis’ lack of depth in the centres, many expected that he’d get a call up for that year’s Four Nations tournament.
Unfortunately for Auva’a that call never came. Ex-Kiwis skipper Hugh McGahan voiced his surprise at the snubbing of the young centre claiming that his defensive qualities would’ve been instrumental in countering the Kangaroos.
Joss Hoffman was a solid performer for the Kiwis in his five Tests during 2012-13. The Titans fullback was a standout for the Kiwis during their two narrow losses to the Kangaroos in 2012. Since suffering a shoulder injury during the pool stages of the Rugby League World Cup Hoffman has been overlooked by the Kiwis coach and has reportedly cut ties with the New Zealand side.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is widely regarded as one of the best front-rowers in the NRL but has been criticised for not making a big impact at an international level for New Zealand. Waerea-Hargreaves was first excluded from the Kiwis during the 2014 Trans-Tasman Test match. Kearney stated that the team had been picked on form and with the future in mind.
The non-selection of the Roosters prop is baffling when you consider at the time he was only 25 years old, one of the form players in the NRL and the Kiwis were missing up to 15 players due to injury. In 2015, despite a run of good form, Waerea-Hargreaves once again was overlooked for the mid-season Trans-Tasman Test.
The most notable omission from the Kiwis’ squad over recent times has been that of St George Illawarra playmaker Benji Marshall. The reason behind the snubbing of Marshall is unclear. Kearney has made little sense when trying to justify his decision to leave out the man who placed second equal in the Dally M player of the year award.
Prior to the Trans-Tasman Test match in April Kearney stated that he wouldn’t pick Marshall – despite his recent run of good form – if Kiwi halves Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson were available. Both Foran and Johnson missed the tour of England due to injury yet a recall to international rugby league still eluded Marshall.
There are question marks over whether Marshall has recovered from an ankle injury that he sustained in September. However comments from the Kiwis coach suggested that Benji would not have been considered for selection even if he was fit to play.
Kearney has claimed to be focused on building for the future, NRL rookies Kodi Nikorima and Tuimoala Lolohea were selected in the halves for the 2015 tour of England under this pretence. Nikorima and Lolohea are only 21 and 20 years old respectively, how far into the future is Kearney trying to look?
Is Marshall too old to play international rugby league?
Does Stephen Kearney aka the ‘Nostradamus of the New Zealand rugby league scene’ realise that Marshall and fellow Kiwis Manu Vatuvei, Lewis Brown, Issac Luke, Sam Moa, Adam Blair, Thomas Leuluai, Simon Mannering, Greg Eastwood and Jason Nightingale are all around the same age?
Building depth is essential but surely the Kiwis should field their strongest team possible when they play the Lions and Kangaroos. There’s no point in sacrificing games in the present in the hope that it will benefit the Kiwis in the future.
If players need to be bloodied in the black and white jersey the New Zealand Rugby League should push for regular Tests against the likes of Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Samoa.
As a fan it is hard not to assume Kearney’s selections have been influenced by his personal agendas.
maximillian
Guest
What a ridiculous comment! As others have stated 30 is hardly over the hill. Thurston, Cronk, Smith are all older than Marshall & if you think they should be cut for being too old you really have no clue.
Justthetip
Guest
Benji would have been good to have beside kodi for his first few tests. Correct. He was average last season though and people were banging on about how good he was. Auva not being selected is a great call. Time mob. Ditto jwh. There side that beat the roos in the Anzac test didn't have a spot for jwh and selecting him goes against the type of footy Kearneys wanting to build on, and that's without. mentioning culture. Pick him for the series just gone and he goes well against England great. Now he's influencing the team and he brings his over the top aggression against Aus which plays into our hands. Kearneys smart and a great coach. There's a reason Bennett has him as number 2 and sees him as the next Broncos coach. On another note what a player Nikau was. So underrated.
Johnno
Guest
Mick your not past it in footy terms at 32, which is how old Benji will be at next world cup. Gallen is 34 and still going at SOO and Test-footy level,and was 32 at last world cup, cam smith getting on 2, and JT is 32 now, Lockeyer was 34 when he retired, Kevin Sinfield was 33 when he stopped playing for England. 32 is not old in footy terms anymore to be playing at the top, your clueless mate.
SEH
Guest
Ha yeah JT is two years older than Benji. Guess the Roos should get rid of that Thurston guy, he's 32, clearly over the hill! Bill Slater too, move on old timer! It is a joke that Marshall wasn't picked by Kearney, and borderline disgraceful that he wasn't picked with both Johnson and Foran out.
Norm
Roar Pro
Thanks for your comment. Even though your points are as poorly constructed as your sentences I think I got the gist of what your trying to say. You state that Auva'a shouldn't of been picked in 2014 because he was a rookie but go on to endorse the selection of two rookies as our halves combination. I like yourself don't know Auva'a, Hargreaves or Marshall personally so can't comment on thier attitudes. A few players may have had the wrong mindset in 2012-13 but gets what it's 2015. Kodi & Tui could have learnt a lot from playing alongside Marshall. Thurston is 32 and if you believe he's a spent force due to being too old than you are clearly cluless. The World Cup is two years away, a player like Benji could be the difference between winning and losing. Hiku should be on the wing or a fullback. He hasn't got a future in the halves. Try again
Mick
Guest
Right 30 and we're will he be in two years huh or three huh well Exactly retirement where will nikorima Hiku and Lolohea be huh hitting their peak So it's as simple as this they need to work on their youth Not relying on an old Marshall your comment proves you are clueless mate
Mick
Guest
Right so pick a 30 yr old whose on his last leg over youth Hmm develop youth who will only get better or stick with old guys for consistency This is why people like you should have no say in a teams formation It's people like you that wanted The Broncos to move on Ben Hunt and stick with a Peter Wallace or a Scott prince But they didn't Anthony griffin stuck with him and want against the club and the media And look at Hunt now The side needs to develop their youth insted of sticking with old guys like Marshall Nikorima Lolohea and Hiku are the future
Mick
Guest
I'll say it again Hoffman is a shadow of his former self and isn't worth a kiwi call up He was stellar in 2012-13 guess what it's 2015 He's not the same player he was shifted between positions this Year at the Titans Auv'a wasn't picked in 2014 why he was a rookie And had a massive ego and a bad attitude This yr he has just come off suspension for belting his misses and he has an attitude that warrants a punch In the face that's why he wasn't picked Hargreaves is another who's attitude is a problem That's why he was dropped in the first place and he's had a season ending injury as well So why would they bring in an under done player As for Marshall yes he's been great this yr but they are building for the future why bring in Marshall He won't be their much longer at NRL level so bringing in Marshall well it would be stupid and pointless It's about the future Nikorima Lolohea Hiku are the future not Marshall that's why they were giving the shot Simple as that
Mick
Guest
Please this article is a joke proving anyone can be a wannabe expert Facts are simple you are clueless here's why Hoffman is a shadow of his former self and isn't worth a kiwi call up He was stellar what was it you said between 2012-13 guess what it's 2015 He's not the same player he was shifted between positions this Year at the Titans Auv'a wasn't picked in 2014 why he was a rookie And had a massive ego and a bad attitude This yr he has just come off suspension for belting his misses and he has an attitude that warrants a punch In the face that's why he wasn't picked Hargreaves is another who's attitude is a problem That's why he was dropped in the first place and he's had a season ending injury as well So why would they bring in an under done player As for Marshall yes he's been great this yr but they are building for the future why bring in Marshall He won't be their much longer at NRL level so bringing in Marshall well it would be stupid and pointless a lot like this article It's about the future Nikorima Lolohea Hiku are the future not Marshall that's why they were giving the shot Simple as that
Daveo
Guest
It's all because of culture. Benji, JWH and SBW were all embroiled in the Energy drinks and sleeping pills fiasco and didn't perform in 2013 when Kearney needed them the most. What's worse as SBW and Benji were both part of the leadership group where they let the team down. The Kiwis coaches have given plenty of reason why they have had non-selections, Benji is a selfish person by nature and while that equates differently on the field, in a team environment, he's not there for the team as a role model and a leader. JWH flaked in 2014 citing 'burnout' when Kearney was going to give him another chance, this year he's broken so a natural non-selection. I could go on as well but all facets need to be taken into account.
Cedric
Guest
and if the selection panel think the same as Kearney, they should also be removed. I haven't read the article by Nikau and it appears I don't need to. When you select your countries team you want to win not maybe in 3 or 5 years if this young guy works out. And it does appear Martin is the man of the future. If you as coach cannot change what you believe to be a wrong mind set, then you are not a great coach and with the other clearly wrong and silly decisions and the lack of playing structure, it appears after a number of years at the helm, the end is now. For how many years did the kiwis' hardly have more than 6 NRL players, take the 80s'. At around that time I remember winning and having games stolen from us in the final minutes. Now we have a massive tally of NRL talent, ok we beat the Roos' 3 times but it is certainly not a given. Remember Manu being dropped for the 1st 4 Nations last year for young DWZ, who's going to be something but he got injured then they put Beale in front of Manu, Barnett can up with the right fit excuse on tv, they then dropped Beale and then Manu and Thundercat were named wingers of the tournement, ohhhhhhhh I could keep going and going on but what's the point. If Kearney is not moved on I will be concerned about the mindset of the NZRL.
Mike from Tari
Guest
That's a big boast, would have made it more interesting for sure but nothing is a certainty in Rugby League.
Johnno
Guest
Kearney is silly. All this rubbish talk about Benji's age. Benji is born in 1985, he's only 30. 30 is not old in any adult-defination. This notion, that he's somehow out of touch with the modern game, or NZ rugby league needs to evolve and any 30-yr olds are surplus to requirements is absurd. Lockeyer retired aged 34. Wally Lewis was 32 or 33 when he played his last test. If your good enough age is just a number. It's silly, he's the same age as SBW. Ma Nonu is 3 years older he's 33, Brad Thorn won a world cup at aged 36. McCaw just won one, 1 month out from his 35th birthday. It's absurd this age issue, as an excuse not to pick Benji Marshall. Kearney should be sacked.
Ken
Guest
If Benji couldn't make this squad, after showing good season form + Johnson & Foran missing, then it's hard to see any scenario where he's wearing a Kiwis jersey again. A pity, Benji is far less of that 'selfish' (for want of a better word) player than he once was - he could have made a difference for them in a series where they struggled to score points.
maximillian
Guest
But they weren't fit. The question then becomes who should step in to fill the void? I watched all 3 games & some of the kicking & last tackle options were woeful from the Kiwis. On ability alone, Marshall should've been next in line after the injuries to Foran & Johnson. He could've steered the team around & created more opportunities than both Hiku/Nikorima. The fact he wasn't picked means there's more to it than what he is doing on the field, hence the article.
Klee gluckman
Guest
If Johnson and Foran were fit we beat England. This article dossn't get written.
Rugby Realist
Guest
I completely agree with this article - it seems personal with some players.
maximillian
Guest
1 thing Kearney identified in his many years with the Kiwis is that the culture needed to be changed. They have looked to rebuild that culture around a lot of the younger players coming through. This quote from Kiwis selector Tawera Nikau is telling when he talks about building a new 'team 1st' culture. "In the past, Benji was probably more about Benji and not the team. That is where we were looking as a selection panel," said Nikau. "There were a couple of other guys in that team - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was one, Sonny-Bill Williams another. We made some tough decisions over the last couple of years and that's given us plenty to think about but, if you look where we have headed, it has made a huge impact." Id say Benji has played his last game for the Kiwis & JWH will struggle to make it back despite his good form as we have already seen. Its an interesting read from Nikau if anyones interested. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11527117
craig
Guest
He obviously doesnt rate marshell anymore and for good reason one of the most lazy players out there. Jwh didnt get picked last year because of his behaviour at the world cup, Id imagine he will be one of the first players picked when he gets back from injury.