Kidwell: Kiwis don’t fear an upset by Scots

Coach not fretting over possible boilover despite major changes

Kiwis coach David Kidwell has no fear of another boilover result against Scotland on Saturday, despite making a raft of changes to his team for the game in Christchurch.

Only seven players remain from the starting XIII which beat Samoa 38-8 last Saturday night in Auckland, and across the 17 there are seven players introduced into the team.

Te Maire Martin will take the No 6 jersey, while Dean Whare, Jason Nightingale and Peta Hiku also get spots in the backline.

Perhaps the most eye catching selection is Elijah Taylor at hooker, while Kenny Bromwich returns from injury and Addin Fonua-Blake is set to make his debut.

Senior players such as Simon Mannering and Thomas Leuluai have been rested, as well as NRL wing of the year Jordan Rapana, while Kodi Nikorima has a hamstring strain.

The last time the Kiwis faced Scotland was in Workington last November, when Scotland snatched a historic 18-18 draw, and could have even grabbed a shock victory. Kidwell chose to bench some big names for that game, with Jason Taumalolo, Kevin Proctor, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Jordan Kahu all watching from the grandstand.

It was a bold call, and it backfired, with one of the most infamous results in Kiwis’ history.

“We are a different group of players,” said Kidwell.

“This group of 24 men are committed, they belong, they are committed to each other and to make the culture better. We definitely respect Scotland and we will do that with how we prepare.”

Kidwell said the Kiwis’ changes were part of a deliberate strategy conceived before the tournament.

“It’s was always in my plan to give these young guys a go,” said Kidwell. “We need those experienced players as the tournament goes on. It’s a great time to give them a rest and a refresh and get behind those young guys.”

It will certainly be a challenge for combinations, especially in the backline with only three players from the Samoa victory. But it’s a different scenario to last year; Nightingale, Whare and Hiku have a ton of experience, while Martin is coming off a grand final with the Cowboys. The 27-year-old Taylor has 10 tests under his belt — and has a lot to prove after four years in the international wilderness — and Bromwich cemented his place in the Storm 17 this year.

It’s also different circumstances. That test in Workington was played on a substandard pitch, encircled by a greyhound track, on a bitterly cold Cumbrian night, and the Scots simply handled the conditions and the challenges much better.

But the Bravehearts are missing several key players at this tournament, including Lachlan Coote and Kane Linnett, and are coming off a 50-4 battering at the hands of Tonga in Cairns last Sunday, and they will be big outsiders on Saturday.

Kidwell has also be impressed with the response of Martin, after the Cowboys five-eighth was overlooked last week in favour of Nikorima.

“Missing out on the first game has really driven him to make sure he does the little things at training,” said Kidwell. “He’s excited about playing on Saturday. He has been working hard on his defensive game. [But] it’s about us defending as a team.”

Rugby League World Cup organisers have referred an incident involving the Italian team to the NRL integrity unit, after James Tedesco was allegedly king-hit by a teammate.

According to the Seven Network, Tedesco was out with the Italian team in Cairns after their loss to Ireland on Sunday, before a brawl erupted and the NSW Origin star was hit.

“The RLWC has been made aware of an incident involving the the Italian team in Cairns on Sunday night. The matter has been referred to the NRL integrity unit,” a RLWC tournament statement read.