Coup leader could be target as coach

A riddle: Could Kiwis coach David Kidwell be undone by another David Kidwell?

Confused? Well, think on this after the Kiwis’ awful loss to Australia in Canberra in the last-ever Anzac test.

In 2008, it was Kidwell and then captain Roy Asotasi who led a fully justified revolt against Kiwis coach Gary Kemble, who was about as out of his depth as out of depth gets.

The problem now is that Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich (along with fellow forward Kevin Proctor) is embroiled in a cocaine controversy, and has indicated he will step down. He’s not in a position to lead anything.

But if the New Zealand Rugby League won’t make a move, if Kidwell won’t resign, then it may be up to the players to make it clear that Kidwell must go before this year’s World Cup after disasters last year — notably a draw against Scotland — and this.

There is nothing on Kidwell’s CV that says he is anything other than an NRL assistant coach. Cowboys coach Paul Green is apparently waiting in the wings, originally earmarked as a guiding force for Kidwell.

But the NZRL needs to wipe the slate clean, and rethink the whole situation.

And for a recap, this is what Kidwell told Radio Sport about Kemble in 2008, even hinting there could be a player boycott in the World Cup year.

“No, we don't [have confidence in Kemble]. People think we're just doing it for ourselves but we've got the best interests of the black and chris.rattue@ nzherald.co. nz

It may be up to the players to make it clear that Kidwell must go before the World Cup.

white jersey . . . and the players haven't got any confidence in Gary Kemble as coach,” Kidwell said.

“Gary's a great bloke and we're not attacking his character. We've got a guy like Wayne Bennett who wants to coach us. Why wouldn't we want the best person?”

Kidwell said Kemble was “out of his depth”.

“We've got the backing of all the senior players in Australia, you can ring any of them and ask. We would not come out and say this without the backing of them,” Kidwell said.

Kemble was replaced by Steve Kearney, with Bennett assisting, as the Kiwis won the World Cup that year. If the current senior Kiwis are unhappy — some are interpreting comments from Jason Taumalolo as such — and want a lead on what to do, they need look no further than their own coach.