Chairman gives Kidwell glimmer of hope
NZRL and coach faulted but review also says Kidwell still has confidence of players and created a ‘well received’ team culture
League David Kidwell’s tenure as Kiwis coach is still up in the air despite being at the heart of a scathing, wide-ranging review into the team’s failure at last year’s World Cup.
The findings from the longawaited review highlighted Kidwell’s inexperience for the job, a naivety in trying to implement a new style in such a short period of time, and a failure to insist on being provided a “High Level Kiwis Campaign” plan.
The Kiwis’ 2017 tournament ended in a shock 4-2 defeat to Fiji in the quarter-finals, following an earlier 28-22 loss to Tonga in pool play.
Most damningly, the review found that there was a “complete lack” of proven high performance sport expertise within the NZRL, and of any supporting structures for sustained success.
NZRL leaders failed to identify high performance problems and inadequacies, the review said, and had no obvious ability to identify and manage any resulting risks.
With Kidwell off contract with the Kiwis, the next move for the NZRL is to appoint a new coach, having finalised a panel to oversee the process.
Speaking to the media yesterday, NZRL chairman Reon Edwards did not rule out the possibility of reappointing Kidwell, who is believed to be interested in applying for the role.
“We’ve got an appointments panel which we’ll be hoping to announce next week, so we’re looking forward to making that announcement,” Edwards said. “I believe David is keen to re-apply. We haven’t heard anything different to that at this point, so certainly if he’s keen, great.”
However, with the NZRL’s desire for “a fresh start” in mind, the reappointment of Kidwell seems unlikely. The review findings were particularly critical of his inexperience which, according to the report, led to the implementation of too much in a short space of time, as well as the treatment of the World Cup as a “test” instead of the pinnacle of the There is a complete lack of proven high performance sport (HP) expertise within the NZRL and the supporting structures that need to be put in place for sustained success.
There was 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 coach who attempted to implement too much in a short space of time and treated the World Cup like a “test” event instead of a pinnacle event.
The NZRL let down coach David Kidwell by not providing him with the strategically-designed “2014-2017 High Level Kiwis Campaign Plan”. The coach should have, on his appointment, asked for and insisted on being provided with that plan. Kidwell acknowledged that he should have done this but did not. His failing in this regard was unsatisfactory but did not excuse the failure of NZRL senior leadership to provide their coach with that plan. Kiwis’ four-year calendar.
Kidwell will also have to compete against coaching candidates from around the world after the NZRL enforced a recommendation by the review panel to change its “Kiwi only” policy and allow foreigners to coach the national side.
The one thing keeping the door ajar for Kidwell is that his relationship with the players appears positive.
“We didn’t discover any loss in confidence in David Kidwell by the players,” said Tim Castle, who conducted the review alongside former Bulldogs and Netball New Zealand boss Raelene Castle. “It seems clear enough that he did not lose the changing shed, which is an important feature of a coaching success.”
The review report was also complimentary of the team culture created by Kidwell, which was “clearly well received by the players”.
Tim Castle also clarified that none of the findings indicated Kidwell’s relationship with the players had anything to do with the exodus to Tonga led by Jason Taumalolo right before the World Cup.
What is clear, though, is that the NZRL has learnt their lesson and will not be rushing the appointment of the next Kiwis head coach.
“We’ve talked about ensuring we’ve got the best person for the job, whether that’s a New Zealander, or an Australian, or a Pom, we’ll let the appointments panel work through that process.”