Kiwis coach David Kidwell hopes injury clouds hovering over Thomas Leuluai and Jason Nightingale can clear before their second Four Nations Test against Australia.
Leuluai was diagnosed with concussion during New Zealand’s 17-16 win over England, although the five-eighth believed he was wrongly diagnosed.
St George Illawarra winger Nightingale suffered an ankle problem and he and Leuluai should learn the extent of their injuries on Monday.
Kidwell said props Jesse Bromwich and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves emerged unscathed after taking leg niggles into the Test.
The coach was surprised there weren’t more injuries following a ferocious clash of two muscular packs.
“The guys coming off the field said they’d never experienced anything like that in the NRL, especially the forwards,” he said.
“To get the monkey off the back is a good feeling but now it’s all about the recovery. We’ve got a big game on Saturday.”
Kidwell’s monkey was the 26-6 Test loss to Australia in Perth two weeks earlier.
Following his first Test in charge, he admitted to making fundamental mistakes, including his use of the interchange bench which resulted in key forward Jason Taumalolo spending an extended period on the sideline.
“We all learned some harsh lessons there and it was about making improvements,” he said.
“We sat down and nutted that (interchange strategy) out and that became a crucial part against England.”
Kidwell says time together explained their improvement from the Perth Test and he expects his team to be better again for the rematch against a Kangaroos side which crushed Scotland 54-12 in the tournament opener .
Kidwell suggested there will be minimal change for Saturday’s clash in Coventry but is keen to give other squad members game time against Scotland in Workington a week later.
Cedric
Guest
agree, maybe Taylor was injured. Agree with TB, put DWZ at fullback and Kahu at center. I believe DWZ is a fullback. Or maybe the Fuss at center as he had about 3 cracker games there for the Warriors this year until McFadden moved him again. Or DWZ at fullback, Kahu center and the Fuss wing instead of Nightingale? DWZ like the young Fisher-Harris is all energy! DWZ should be on the field.
Kiwijack
Guest
Why would you bring Brown over Elijah Taylor.
Kiwijack
Guest
I agree Martin needs to play he,ll be needed next year. Martin playing with Johnson would worry any team. Should have added Docker Clay or Levi as well to cover for Luke. Time to replace the aging with some of the very talented younger players, NZ has a good pool of young talent at the moment.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Kahu is servicable at Fullbavk and doesnt make mistakes but he isnt much of a gamebreaker, hes solid and consistent. It would perhaps be worth rotating DWZ and Kahu at some point to see how each goes in the other role. Brown is just so, so.... average at everything. He isnt big he isnt mobile he isnt a extremely good ball player hes not fast hes just average. I am sure NZ has more to them than Brown.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Have to agree...I don't think Nightingale is up to this standard any more and can't understand why you'd leave a player like DWZ cutting oranges and mixing gatorade. Kahu is a very good centre but I don't think he has the experience at fullback and doesn't get involved enough. I'd be tempted to throw DWZ in at the back and play kahu in the centres with SKD or Fusitua on the wing. I like the idea of Leuluai off the bench though. Lewis Brown playing test football just doesn't sit well with me.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Thomas Leuluai and Jason Nightingale would be the first two players out if i were selector so the injury concerns should make the decision easy. David Fusitu'a or Dallin Watene-Zelezniak should be on the wing in place of "Florence", but I would move SKD to the wing and find a safer centre. I do not rate Gerard Beale as international class and with the WC in mind it would be worth risking Fusiitu'a. Peta Hiku and Dean Whare will be available for the WC, but with RTC back to play fullback the very safe and talented Jordan Kahu may get the nod. Also, Te Maire Martin has last tackle option skills that Leuluai does not. I do not get it why coaches keep persisting with TL with the World Cup on in 12 months. They need to take pressure off Shaun Johnson who actually had a great tactical kicking game v England but it is not a natural skill and he is too valuable as a runner. The Kiwis will be in good shape for the WC with a partner for Johnson; they will have young guns Martin, Hingano and hopefully Foran. All three are an upgrade on Leuluai.
maximillian
Roar Rookie
Martin is an interesting 1 for me. Johnson provides almost all the kicking & 5th tackle plays & that makes the Kiwis attack predictable. Martin is raw so Id be weary of throwing him in against Australia, but he offers far more creativity & last tackle options to Leuluai. I would've put him on the bench against England in place of Brown. Move Leuluai to hooker once Luke comes off & give Martin 20 odd minutes in the halves & see how he goes.
Jeffrey
Guest
Both those injuries might be a blessing for the Kiwis. Martin in for Leuluai and anyone else for Nigtingale would be an improvement.
maximillian
Roar Rookie
Im glad Kidwell gave the opportunity to the playing 17 to redeem themselves after the loss to Australia, but Id be making a few changes anyway. SKD would be out for Beale, & JWH out as well. Id start Blair at prop & move Eastwood to the bench.