Hopkins downplays need for T20 specialists Warriors won’t back down
The mastermind of the Northern Knights’ all-conquering Super Smash campaign believes the Black Caps shouldn’t rush into looking at specialists for their T20 cricket team following their Sydney horror show.
Northern Districts made the unique move to appoint a coach solely for their T20 season when hiring former Black Cap Gareth Hopkins, while James Pamment remained as coach for the four-day and one-day formats before his departure for the Mumbai Indians in January.
That decision worked wonders as Hopkins, who had no significant previous coaching experience, guided the Knights to the Super Smash title.
So would an alternative approach, say a specialist T20 coach and captain, work for the Black Caps? That debate has raged since New Zealand’s wretched seven-wicket T20 loss to Australia at the SCG last Saturday when the Black Caps limped to 117-9, a total the hosts chased down with ease.
Former Black Cap turned commentator Simon Doull on Wednesday berated New Zealand’s selections and suggested that captain Kane Williamson and coach Mike Hesson perhaps consider stepping away from the T20 side altogether.
Hopkins said the Black Caps had an exceptional calibre of players capable of playing across all three formats.
‘‘They can absolutely adapt between formats of the game and improve on that,’’ he said. ‘‘Having specialists for T20 doesn’t say much because you have to look at the quality of the individual.’’
Seven of New Zealand’s 11 who played in the Sydney defeat featured in their last test series against the West Indies, while Australia (one) and England (two) had far fewer players from this summer’s Ashes in Wednesday’s T20 in Hobart when the hosts won by five wickets thanks to Glenn Maxwell’s 58-ball century.
But Hopkins said: ‘‘You’ve got to remember that England and Australia has a much larger cricketing population, so you’ve got to pick the right players [for New Zealand].’’ Warriors chief executive Cameron George says he hasn’t shifted his stance with New Zealand Rugby over Etene Nanai-seturo and doesn’t intend to.
The battle between the two codes has stretched into a second week, despite New Zealand Rugby saying early last week that they thought the issue would be resolved within a few days.
Although the 18-year-old Nanaiseturo is contracted to the Warriors, he represented the New Zealand sevens team during the past two weeks and clearly wants to link up with the Chiefs.
George says the club is taking further legal advice, but is convinced the Warriors are in the right.
‘‘We’re still working through it and waiting to get some advice back,’’ George said yesterday.
‘‘But New Zealand Rugby Union know our position and that’s where we stand and I haven’t wavered from that and will not waver from that.
‘‘We are very confident that we’ve done everything appropriately and professionally.’’
Last year Nanai-seturo attempted to resign from his Warriors contract, so he could switch to rugby.
If that was something that could legally happen, it could have major implications in New Zealand sport and be the most significant event since rugby went professional in 1995.
If a player could resign from a contract in one sport and start playing another, there would be nothing stopping Roger Tuivasasheck walking out of the Warriors to join the Blues this week, or for Sonny Bill Williams to immediately make a move in the opposite direction.
‘‘We’ve got to protect our organisation, our investment and commitment to our players,’’ George said.
‘‘We provide benefits in contracts and we take it seriously and ensure we do everything we’re committed to do legally. We expect the same in return.’’
Meanwhile, a test between the Kiwis and England to be played in the United States in June may be announced next week.
It is expected to take place during the State of Origin standalone weekend, with Denver and New York proposed as locations.
If it does happen, the Warriors will be affected more than any other club with up to eight of their players selected for the Kiwis.
George says he understands the desire to grow the sport in the United States and says he won’t enforce a blanket ban on the Warriors sending players to the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
However, he thinks they’ll make calls on players on a case-bycase situation.