High performance issues fail Kiwis
An independent review into the Kiwis’ woeful World Cup campaign has found a ‘‘systemic failure’’ from New Zealand Rugby League leaders to identify high performance problems.
The findings of the independent review into the Kiwis’ failed World Cup campaign were released at a press conference in Auckland on Friday, exposing a lack of leadership at the NZRL.
The review, led by Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle, and sports lawyer Tim Castle, was launched after the Kiwis crashed out of last year’s World Cup with back-to-back defeats to tier two nations.
The David Kidwell-coached side lost to Tonga in pool play before a shock quarterfinal loss to Fiji 4-2 in Wellington.
‘‘The most disturbing feature of the findings was the lack of high performance expertise in the organisation, particularly from a planning perspective,’’ Tim Castle said at the press conference.
A statement released to media addressed multiple shortcomings from NZRL leaders.
‘‘A complete lack of proven high performance sport expertise within the NZRL organisation and the supporting structures that need to be put in place for sustained success,’’ it said.
‘‘A systemic failure of senior NZRL leadership to identify HP problems and inadequacies and no obvious ability to identify and manage the risks arising.
‘‘The Kiwis campaign was disadvantaged by the NZRL appointment of an inexperienced head coach (with potential nonetheless) who attempted to implement too much in a short space of time and treated the RLWC like a ‘‘test’’ event instead of the pinnacle of the Kiwis four year calendar.
‘‘NZRL let down head coach David Kidwell specifically in not providing him with the carefully and strategically designed 2014-17 high level Kiwis campaign plan.
‘‘We record that in our view, the head coach should have upon his appointment asked for and insisted on being provided with that high level plan. David Kidwell acknowledged that indeed he should have done this but did not so. ‘‘We consider that his failing in this regard was unsatisfactory. It does not however in our view excuse the failure of NZRL senior leadership to provide its Kiwis head coach with the high level plan.’’ The review also found Kidwell acted in haste over disgraced duo, former captain Jesse Bromwich and team-mate Kevin Proctor after allegations of cocaine use during a drunken binge after last May’s Anzac test loss to Australia in Canberra.
A lack of support from management exposed him to intense media pressure.
Alex Hayton resigned as NZRL chief executive last week, having already seen the preliminary findings of the report, while Kidwell’s contract ended at the completion of the tournament.
The NZRL has already enforced one recommendation by the review panel by changing its ‘Kiwi only’ policy to allow foreigners to coach the national side.
Kidwell has yet to reveal if he would re-apply for the role but the report is likely to end any chance he had of being reappointed. However, the review found that Kidwell had not lost the support of players.
NZRL chairman Reon Edwards said Jason Taumalolo and other high-profile defectors would be considered for the Kiwis this year should they make themselves available.
‘‘It’s a warts and all report and may be confronting for some,’’ Edwards said.
‘‘But we see it as an opportunity to enter a new era.’’