Euphoric Kiwis get back to business
With the euphoria of the upset win over Australia well behind them, the Kiwis are ready to get back to business when they kick off the three-test tour against England.
While much of the buildup in this part of the world has been overshadowed by news around the respective club futures of opposing coaches Michael Maguire and Wayne Bennett, tomorrow’s first test in Hull shapes as an intriguing battle.
Kiwis boss Maguire has had the luxury of selecting the same 17 players who stunned the Kangaroos two weeks ago, a significant boost as his new-look squad continues to gel.
Injury has robbed England of key trio Sam Burgess, Gareth Widdop and Ryan Hall. But with the likes of James Graham, Sean O’Loughlin, Josh Hodgson and Jermaine McGillvary, to name a few, they have no shortage of experience and strike power.
England have developed into a formidable unit since Bennett took charge in 2016. They were unlucky to lose last year’s World Cup final to Australia and will be desperate to take another step up.
The Kiwis expect nothing less. ‘‘They’ve got great experience through their forward pack and have people like Sean O’Loughlin and James Graham, who have played 50 test matches individually,’’ New Zealand assistant coach Ben Gardiner said.
‘‘They’re a side that has played a lot of footy together, so we’ve worked on looking at their combinations in the team we expect to come out on the paddock.’’
The Kiwis last toured England in 2015, when they suffered a 2-1 series defeat. And while they did win the 2005 Tri-Nations in the UK, the last time they tasted a series victory over England or Great Britain on foreign soil was in 1998.
With the chilly conditions and vocal home crowds, it is a difficult place to play but the coaching staff has been impressed with the squad’s focus since arriving via a short stopover in Dubai.
England won the last meeting between the sides during the controversial Denver test in June, when they eased to a 36-18 win in Maguire’s first test in charge.
But this is a different Kiwis side, boosted by the return of Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair and Jordan Rapana, as well as the emergence of boom rookies Joseph Manu and Brandon Smith.
And while the Denver experience would have provided a handy insight into England’s style of play, much like they did against Australia, the Kiwis are focusing on themselves.
‘‘They’re a side that will have a lot of cohesion, but there are areas where we can target,’’ Gardiner said.
‘‘We think we do know what they’ll bring and how they’ll play. It will be a simple style like us, but at the end of the day it’s about what we bring and what we build on from the test against Australia.’’
England are also well aware that what happened in Denver will count for nothing at KC Stadium.
Johnson’s return in particular will have them on red alert given his impressive record against the Lions.
The star playmaker has a history of breaking English hearts, famously converting his last-gasp try to win the 2013 World Cup semifinal, while he also kicked the winning field goal in the 2016 Four Nations clash.
He may also have a point to prove after it emerged that the Warriors were in no rush to re-sign the former Golden Boot winner, who is off-contract at the end of 2019, when the transfer market opens next week.
‘‘He’s a special player but they’ve got threats all over the field and we’ll have to be switched on to that,’’ England fullback Jonny Lomax told the Press Association.
‘‘They looked fantastic in that performance [against Australia] and we’ll have to raise to that.’’ TALKING POINTS
‘‘It’s about what we bring and what we build on from the test against Australia.’’ New Zealand assistant coach Ben Gardiner
Warriors chief executive Cameron George says the club is not afraid to make big calls in their quest to win a NRL Premiership as speculation over the future of star halfback Shaun Johnson begins.
Johnson is off-contract at the end of next season and George plans to start discussions with his management when he returns from Kiwis duty. However, the 28-year-old will be open to approaches from rival clubs when the transfer market opens on November 1.
While it’s premature to say the star halfback will be leaving Mt Smart Stadium, it does signal a change in thinking from previous occasions when Johnson’s contract was up for renewal.
Retaining the 26-test veteran had previously been the Warriors’ top priority and in 2017 he signed a lucrative two-year deal that made him the highest paid player at the club. But he has struggled to live up to the high expectations that come with such a title.
Consistency has always been an issue throughout his career. Although, he is coming off one of his best seasons in years and played a key role in the Kiwis’ upset win over the Kangaroos two weeks ago.
‘‘He’s overseas on tour at the moment and we’ll speak to his manager and Shaun when he returns,’’ George said. ‘‘This is a sign that we’ll do what’s best for this club and every player is under review and accountable for every performance.
‘‘We’re not scared to make big calls and whether that’s any elite player in our squad, we’ll do what’s best for our club and our fans.
‘‘We’re adamant that we need to win this Premiership and by having a club-first mentality and making whatever calls appropriate to achieve our desired outcome for the fans, is exactly what our priority is.’’ Johnson is currently preparing for the Kiwis’ first test against England in Hull and it has been reported that the Warriors have told him to explore his value on the open market.
Johnson has always spoken of his passion for the Warriors, but he may have to accept a reduced offer if he wants to remain there beyond next year. That is an understandable position given the club would be reluctant to continue forking out upwards of $1 million a season for a player who has struggled for consistency. But it also comes with plenty of risk.
Elite-level playmakers are a rare commodity in the NRL and clubs are willing to pay top dollar to secure them. There are bound to be several teams who would back themselves to get the best out of Johnson, leaving the Warriors exposed if he decides to leave and they are unable to find a suitable replacement.