‘Daft’ players aren’t the only ones at fault

Aserious issue called for a serious face. ‘‘At the end of the day, the integrity in that jersey and the values that we uphold in the Kiwis, that’s the most important thing,’’ Kiwis coach David Kidwell said at a press conference on Monday.

Captain Jesse Bromwich and senior player Kevin Proctor had been caught allegedly ingesting cocaine outside a Canberra nightclub following their 30-12 defeat to Australia. The swift response of Kidwell and the New Zealand Rugby League was to ban them from playing at this year’s World Cup.

Bromwich’s club, the Melbourne Storm – regarded as among the most professional Australasian sporting franchises of any code – have stood him down for two games. Proctor’s Gold Coast Titans have given him four.

Cocaine is an illegal drug. It’s daft to use it, particularly in a public place as Proctor and Bromwich are alleged to have done. But good people can do silly things, as Kidwell might attest after being stripped of the South Sydney cocaptaincy in 2008 for failing a breath test at a team recovery session.

‘‘For David to say we’re going to stick to a zero alcohol reading and for him not to follow that is very disappointing,’’ then-Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor told the club’s website at the time.

Let’s go back to the integrity Kidwell talked about, in justifying his decision to exclude Bromwich and Proctor from the World Cup reckoning.

For all the hurt feelings expressed by Kidwell and NZRL chief executive Alex Hayton, they only have themselves to blame, particularly the national body.

It’s a bit rich to hear about culture and values and the stature of the jersey from an outfit that would happily appoint a coach as inexperienced and unproven as Kidwell. If the Kiwis meant that much, wouldn’t you appoint someone with more to recommend him?

Under his watch, the Kiwis have won one match from six starts, including a draw with Scotland. Yes, Scotland, that noted league superpower. The team Kidwell turned out last Friday was alleged to be among the strongest New Zealand had fielded and yet they were thrashed. Again.

Bromwich and Proctor’s indiscretion buys Kidwell and the NZRL time, it creates a distraction and allows them to pull a stunt that makes it appear as if the jersey means something. From a distance the jumper only seems to stand for convenience and cost-cutting.

The recent history of the Kiwis is of players progressing through the professional ranks – once in England, now with Australian clubs – but the coach not having the same credentials. Kidwell knows this, having been part of the player revolt that saw Gary Kemble removed.

When the bulk of the expertise lies with the players, authority is eroded and the potential for incidents such as last Friday’s increases.

New Zealand are yet to win a World Cup and they won’t unless heavyweight head coaching experience is brought in to ‘‘assist’’ Kidwell. Nothing he’s done so far suggests winning will become the norm.

Bromwich and Proctor have made fools of themselves but they have the potential to do more good for the Kiwis than those who have stood them down.