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BRISBANE - Kiwi enforcer Roy Asotasi may lose the New Zealand rugby league captaincy for his latest criticism of national coach Gary Kemble.
A decision on Asotasi's position could be made by the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) as early as their board meeting on Friday.
Asotasi was reprimanded today by the NZRL after saying he and his Kiwi teammates had no confidence in Kemble and that Broncos mentor Wayne Bennett should be appointed to save New Zealand's World Cup campaign.
It is the second time Asotasi has taken aim at Kemble.
Last November during New Zealand's disastrous UK tour Asotasi said the new coach was out of his depth and had not won the respect of his players.
Kemble was last month reappointed by the NZRL despite winning just one of his first four tests.
But NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden today said Asotasi's "second strike" may have cost him the captaincy.
"Time will tell. That's a (NZRL) football committee issue which they are talking about as we speak," Haffenden said.
"They are in the process of looking at the role and who they want in the future."
But Haffenden did confirm that the NZRL was keen to appoint Bennett in a support role for the World Cup after starting negotiations late last year.
Bennett impressed the Kiwi hierarchy and players when he took over on a one-off All Golds clash in England late last year.
"That (Bennett as Kiwi head coach) hasn't been discussed at this stage," Haffenden said.
"Let's hope he will take some part with us and assist us through the World Cup."
Haffenden said he was surprised by Asotasi's recent "inappropriate and unacceptable" comments after appearing to clear the air when the inspirational frontrower vented on the phone yesterday.
"It's not the first time this has happened, they are not new views - he's just re-stating something that he has said before," he said.
"But this (second spray) is a worry because it has come out of the blue.
"What is concerning me is that I thought I had it sorted yesterday when he rang me about his concerns.
"Then I pick up the newspaper this morning and there it is. But the newspapers here (New Zealand) have told me that they had done the story before he spoke to me."
Haffenden said Asotasi wasn't remorseful over his comments when he rang the South Sydney skipper today.
But he didn't believe the issue would keep rumbling along.
"We have put processes in place to try and quell the fire. Without giving away any detail, we will keep an eye on that," Haffenden said.
The first sign of Asotasi-Kemble strain was evident during the UK tour when New Zealand were whitewashed 3-0 by Great Britain, including a 44-0 loss.
New Zealand finished the tour with an unconvincing 22-14 win over minnows France.
Asotasi's comments today drew the ire of NZRL director of coaching Graham Lowe.
"It's absolutely unfair and I think it's totally uncalled for having the captain coming out at this stage and laying into Gary Kemble as he has," Lowe said.
"I've never seen it before, and we're not talking about the greatest captain that the Kiwis have ever seen either - Roy has got to concentrate on his own game."
Meanwhile, Kiwi great Gary Freeman urged the NZRL to keep Asotasi as captain.
"I would be picking him straight away. He is an inspirational leader," the former New Zealand halfback said.
- AAP
