Kiwis coach calls for more league tests in NZ
Coach David Kidwell – fresh from devising a new victory chant – wants the Kiwis to play more tests in Canterbury as he seeks to entrench his squad in New Zealand’s main centres.
Kidwell spoke of his pride in bringing the Kiwis back to his Christchurch hometown after guiding them to a 74-6 win over Scotland at AMI Stadium on Saturday night.
The 40-year-old was in the last Kiwis’ side to play in the city – ‘‘at Lancaster Park, that’s what I always called it’’ – back in 2006.
"That’s 11 years ago – it’s been way too long; it’s well overdue for the Kiwis to come down here.’’
Kidwell said it was ‘‘very special’’ to bring the Kiwis back to Christchurch where ‘‘all my family are, my junior club, my mates, the people I grew up with and the people I played with when I came into first grade with the [Hornby] Panthers’’.
‘‘We love our rugby league down here. The more opportunities we get to play down here, the crowd will definitely get to know the Kiwis.’’
Kidwell said the Kiwis played in Dunedin in 2014 and were scheduled for games in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and, potentially, Wellington during the World Cup.
The World Cup tests are the first rugby league internationals in New Zealand for three years.
‘‘It’s very clear to me that we need to play more test footy here in New Zealand to generate that interest [in the Kiwis] and to grow the grassroots,’’ Kidwell said.
The Kiwis-Scotland game drew 12,130 fans – more than 5000 below the Christchurch stadium’s capacity – but the atmosphere was electric as the Kiwis turned on the fireworks a night before the official Guy Fawkes Night displays.
Kidwell’s mission to create a new culture within the Kiwis has extended to musical composition.
‘‘I thought we need to have a Kiwis’ victory chant – we’ve never had one before,’’ he said just minutes after a roistering rendition from within the Kiwis’ dressing room.
The song doesn’t yet have a title and the lyrics were a little difficult to discern at a distance – although the phrase ‘‘black and white brothers’’ was belted out at one point.
Kidwell enlisted ‘‘famous New Zealand music producer’’ Peter Urlich – who played alongside Dave Dobbyn in popular 1970s band, Th’ Dudes.
‘‘He wrote the song, in conjunction with myself.
‘‘We changed it around a few times to make sure it was a good chant. We’ve come up with a bit of gold there.
‘‘The boys really love it; we did it for the first time (against Samoa) last week.’’
Kidwell’s drive to showcase the Kiwis around the country has his players’ blessing.
Winger Peta Hiku – Gisborneborn and Warriors bound – said it was pleasing to see ‘‘how much support you get in New Zealand’’ and ‘‘how big rugby league is in Christchurch’’.
He said rugby league had traditionally been ‘‘based in Auckland’’ and it was eye-opening to see ‘‘all the support we’ve had down here this last week’’.
Prop Russell Packer said the Kiwis were enjoying their community engagement visits, including a trip to Kidwell’s old Hornby Panthers club.
‘‘Seeing the joy that rugby league can bring to children’s faces in this country is something a lot of us in this team take great pride in.
‘‘David has set out a great vision for where he thinks New Zealand rugby league, and this Kiwis squad, can go.
‘‘Hopefully, Peta and myself, and the rest of the team, can play our part in making it a reality.’’
●➤ World Cup wrap B8