Warriors made the right choice: Meninga
Kiwis coach believes team can achieve new heights
In revealing his vision for the Kiwis, newly promoted New Zealand test coach David Kidwell intends to draw on the past to drive the side forward into the future.
Kidwell will forgo his assistant coaching role at Wests Tigers and immediately begin a fulltime role as Stephen Kearney’s coaching successor on a contract that will take him through until the end of next year’s World Cup.
Next month’s transtasman test against Australia in Perth and the ensuing Four Nations defence in the UK through November are his first assignments, but Kidwell has firm ideas about the long- term goals he has for the side.
“I intend to bring a lot of pride and passion back into the Kiwis jersey,” Kidwell said.
“The three years that I’ve been involved with the Kiwis we’ve had a Te Iwi Kiwi culture and that’s something that I’m very strong on and that I’m going to continue.
“I’ve already spoken to some of the senior players and they’re one hundred per cent behind me in driving that.
“Players want certainty and I’m certain that I’m that man that can take the Kiwis to another level.”
The Te Iwi Kiwi culture was implemented by Kearney following the failed 2013 World Cup campaign, with an overall message of selflessness and shared commitment to the team’s values and goals. And while the slogan is of Maori origin, it encompasses all cultures within the Kiwis Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga believes new Warriors mentor Stephen Kearney is the best man to help the Auckland club realise their unfulfilled potential.
Kearney earlier this week resigned from his job as head coach of the New Zealand test side to take up a three- year deal as Andrew McFadden’s coaching successor at the Warriors.
Meninga is a huge fan of the former Kiwis back- rower and World Cup- winning coach and hopes he can spearhead a Warriors’ transformation from also- rans to genuine title contenders.
While Kearney’s appointment has surprised some, the Canberra Raiders great says he is the perfect fit for the Warriors.
Kearney’s nine years at the helm of the Kiwis have seen him develop side. By further impressing and reinforcing upon players the proud history of past Kiwis teams, Kidwell believes they can achieve new heights in performance.
“When Stephen was talking to me about the culture, it just resonated with me and we just took it and ran with it,” he said. “I really believe that there’s another level that we can get to [ with that] and that ultimately is why I wanted and accepted the job.”
Kidwell is yet to appoint his own assistants and may not do so until next year if the right candidates are not readily available.
He refused to reveal who would captain the side, saying only that he has “a person in mind that fits the Te Iwi Kiwi culture and leads that”.
As well as monitoring players’ performance across the Tasman, NZRL chief executive Alex Hayton says Kidwell’s fulltime position in strong relationships with many of the Warriors and Meninga believes the simple fact he is a New Zealander will resonate well both with the players and the local rugby league community.
“It’s a pretty natural selection,” said Meninga. “It might be obvious that Stephen goes there but it’s the best choice as well.
“From a cultural point of view, I think Stephen is the best fit for the club, having so much familiarity with the players from rep footy but also being a Kiwi.
“Hopefully, with [ managing director] Jim Doyle and now with Stephen, they can become competitive and a team that can always get in the top eight.”
Despite Kearney’s run of success with the Kiwis, which includes the 2008 World Cup victory and Four Nations triumphs in 2010 and 2014, critics are quick Christchurch.
Kiwis assistant coach ( 2014- 16); Wests Tigers NRL assistant ( 2014- 16); Melbourne NRL assistant ( 2011- 13); Junior Kiwis coach ( 2010- 12); South Sydney NYC coach ( 2010).
Premiers 2012 ( Storm, NRL assistant coach); Minor premiers 2011 ( Storm, NRL assistant coach); Minor premiers 2010 ( South Sydney, NYCcoach); Series win 2010- 12 ( Junior Kiwis coach).
241 first- grade games as second- rower or centre — for Adelaide, Parramatta, Warrington, Sydney, Melbourne, Souths; 25 tests for New Zealand ( 1999- 2009). to point to his lack of success at NRL level. In his only previous role in charge of an NRL side, he managed just 10 wins from 42 games during a failed coaching stint at Parramatta in 2011 and 2012.
But Meninga insists Kearney’s time spent as an assistant to Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and his role under Brisbane maestro Wayne Bennett will prove invaluable.
“He’s had an extraordinary apprenticeship, really,” he said.
“Even though things didn’t go too well for him at Parramatta, the Parramatta club weren’t too kind to him, either.
“But to have worked under people like Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett is going to hold him in good stead footy- wise and in regards as to how to handle people.”
Meanwhile, after captaining the Raiders to four grand finals and Australia will also allow him to focus on securing the best prospective New Zealand players.
“We’re in a battle with other countries to win the hearts and minds of kids that have dual eligibility and David can make sure those New Zealand heritage kids are aligned to New Zealand by just having his presence over there.”
After a 13- year playing career that amassed 240 first grade games, Kidwell began his coaching apprenticeship at NRL level under one of the most respected minds in the game in Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
But the 39- year- old says the challenges he’s faced during the last three years alongside Michael Potter and then Jason Taylor at Wests Tigers have been even more beneficial to his development.
“You probably learn more from three premiership wins in the late 1980s and early 90s, it goes without saying Meninga is pleased to see the Green Machine firing once more in this year’s finals series.
Ahead of the Raiders’ semifinal against Penrith in Canberra tonight, he believes both sides’ expansive styles are helping to transform the game and says history has shown the Warriors can benefit from adopting similar tactics.
“The game’s evolving with attack and the Raiders and Panthers are changing the face of league.
“All defensive units are pretty hard to break, take Melbourne as an example, but the game is evolving and there’s a brand new way of playing footy. It suits the Warriors, as well. If you really want to take it on, you want to use the football and play football the way they used to.
“The game’s going to be better for it.” adversity. The NRL tests you out mentally as well as physically.
“And when you lose seven or eight in a row, that can be challenging for a coach.
“Getting to know players when they’re down and trying to make sure they have the energy for the whole 26 weeks.
“I’ve learned to make sure we’re seen as though we’ve got the energy.”
Kidwell’s appointment was met with the approval of his Kangaroos adversary Mal Meninga, who says the Kiwis will benefit from the continuity of their coaching succession.
“David is a natural selection,” said Meninga. “He’s been a great player for his country and he’s had a really good apprenticeship as well.
“He’s worked under some great coaches and he’s obviously worked with the Kiwis as well so that just keeps the ball rolling for them.” Johnathan Thurston again proved Brisbane’s nemesis as North Queensland won last night’s pulsating NRL semifinal in extra time.
Thurston kicked a 79th- minute penalty to level the scores at 20- 20 and then set up Michael Morgan with a slick behind- the- back pass for the match- winning try.
Brisbane dominated the first half and led 14- 6 at the break but t wo Justin O’Neill tries in five minutes gave the Cowboys the lead for the first time, up 18- 14 in the 62nd minute.
North Queensland were camped in opposition territory for much of the second half but a 70m try from wing Corey Oates put Brisbane back in front 20- 18 with 11 minutes remaining.
The defending champions were on the brink of elimination when Matt Gillett was penalised for a foot trip on Thurston in the last two minutes.
Thurston kicked the points to level the scores, taking the match to 10 minutes of extra time, during which the Cowboys talisman produced his heroics to the delight of the 24,000- strong Townsville crowd.
The Cowboys play the Sharks next weekend for a place in the grand final. Cowboys 26 ( Justin O’Neill 2, Coen Hess, Michael Morgan tries; Johnathan Thurston 5 goals) Broncos 20 ( Andrew McCullough, Jordan Kahu, Corey Oates tries; Kahu 4 goals). Halftime: Broncos 14- 6. Fulltime: 20- 20.