Kiwis beef up World Cup security
Luke’s bid for Ireland
The Kiwis are considering adding extra security as they look to avoid any further off-field dramas during the upcoming World Cup.
The New Zealand Rugby League is desperate to ensure there are no more unsavoury headlines throughout their campaign after the Kiwis brand was sullied by the cocaine scandal involving Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor that erupted following the Anzac test in May.
Each of the 14 nations competing at the World Cup will be provided with security by tournament organisers but the Kiwis are looking at hiring additional guards to accompany their players in public.
“The organisers are providing a level of security, but we have looked at other resources as required,” NZRL chief executive Alex Hayton told the Daily Telegraph.
“If we have an outing, or a dinner out, we would look to see what was required. We are aware there will be a spotlight on our team.”
Kiwis campaign manager Shane Richardson recently told the Herald on Sunday of plans to redefine and improve the team’s culture, standards and protocols.
Hayton reiterated that management will lay down the law and make the players clear on their responsibilities when they come into camp for a three-day stay at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia next week.
“We’ve reviewed a lot of our processes and our protocols after what happened in Canberra — and there’ll be a lot of emphasis on that, at the After being overlooked by the Kiwis, Issac Luke tried to keep his World Cup dreams alive by attempting to switch allegiances and play for Ireland.
The Warriors hooker was a shock omission from the Kiwis 24-man squad named on Tuesday, with coach David Kidwell preferring to go with 21-year-old Newcastle Knights hooker Danny Levi for the upcoming tournament.
In the wake of his non-selection, Irish coach Mark Ashton told Sydney’s Triple M that Luke was keen to turn out for Ireland — as he qualifies through his grandparents.
“We got a list from the NRL telling us who qualifies and Issac Luke, who qualifies through his grandparents, put his hands up,” Aston told Triple M.
“We’re a bit gutted because he didn’t get the paperwork in on time.
“I think he thought he’d probably play for New Zealand and by the time he came back to us, the chance has start of camp,” Hayton said.
“But I genuinely believe the players understand, that after Canberra, things will be different and they themselves will be determined to make up after that.
“We’re certainly spending a lot of time with the guys early on trying to make them sure that there are no grey areas, that they’re absolutely gone. But he wants to play for Ireland one day.”
Luke’s attempted switch comes after North Queensland forward Jason Taumalolo abandoned the Kiwis, with David Fusitu’a, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Manu Ma’u, in favour of Tonga.
Cronulla forward Andrew Fifita also turned his back on Australia to play for Tonga — two days after he was named in Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga’s squad.
Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary was also on the cusp of playing for Ireland but elected to miss the World Cup to undergo hip surgery.
“Luke Keary would have also been massive for us. He 100 per cent wants to play and we were excited to have him but he had to pull out to have hip surgery,” Ashton said. clear on what all their responsibilities are.
“They know the punishment that was handed down and they know we’re not going to take any nonsense lightly.”
Richardson previously confirmed the Kiwis would have a strict policy around alcohol during the World Cup, and Hayton again stressed there would be limited opportunities for players to drink.
“The final call on how all that plays out will be a decision of management and the team,” he said.
“The expectation is that it will be basically be a dry camp, but there may be a time when the management think we just need to have a quiet drink to celebrate a victory and then we’re back and focused on the next game.
“We’ve had those [curfews] in place in the past and the boys will be reminded of that.
“At the end of the day, they are adults and it is important we treat them like that.”
Hayton confirmed Kidwell’s position will come under review once his contract expires at the end of the World Cup.
Kidwell has managed just one win from six starts since he replaced former test coach Stephen Kearney last September.
His coaching ability has come under further scrutiny in the past week following the shock defection of power-house forward Jason Taumalolo to Tonga, along with centre David Fusitu’a and back-row pair Many Ma’u and Sio Siua Taukeiaho.
“David’s in a good space with a strong management team and a couple of really good assistants in Garth Brennan and Brian Smith,” Hayton said.
“His contract is through until the end of the World Cup, along with all the management staff and that’s something we’ll look at once we debrief after the tournament.”