Senior Kiwis dismayed by drug saga
Senior Kiwis players are disappointed in teammates Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor for their dalliance with cocaine after last week’s Anzac test and are fully supporting their World Cup ban.
Bromwich, the Kiwi test captain, and Proctor were rubbed out of the flagship tournament later this year – a decision made by coach David Kidwell and the New Zealand Rugby League – and it appears the move has met with approvalfrom fellow players.
“Everyone was disappointed when they found out what had happened,” centre Dean Whare said. “When I found out the news I felt a little bit sick.
“It is something that they [ Kidwell and the NZRL] thought hard on. Whatever the coach decides is what happens.
“We support New Zealand Rugby League and the coach’s decision.”
One of the more hard- to- fathom considerations about the episode was that the partying came after a disappointing performance – one that would naturally draw media and public criticism.
For players to then head out to party in public has left many scratching their heads.
“What the team has been through – especially after a loss – it is not good any kind of news involving New Zealand Rugby League,” Whare said.
The loss of two senior players is going to be a significant blow to the Kiwis’ chances of winning back the World Cup.
Bromwich is arguably the leading prop in the game while Proctor has been a solid performer in his 17 tests and one of the first names written down by selectors.
“It is going to be a big blow to the boys but I definitely know there is a lot of depth in the New Zealand ranks and there a lot of players coming back from injury,” an optimistic Whare said.
Aside from finding replacement players, Kidwell will also have to choose a new captain to lead the side at the sport’s biggest tournament.
His choices are limited – Simon Mannering has already filled the role and is a reluctant captain. It is hard to see the Kiwis adding the burden of test captaincy to Kieran Foran’s plate given that he is just working his way back in the game. Likewise it would pile an awful lot on Roger TuivasaSheck to make him test captain as well as Warriors captain at such a young age. Experienced players like Adam Blair and Issac Luke don’t seem like natural fits for the job. Whare doesn’t have a preference. “I wouldn’t have a clue – that is up to Kiddy to decide in the next couple of weeks.”