Graham Lowe: We've got to build on this

New Kiwi coach Brian McClennan has delivered New Zealand league its biggest triumph, and greatest challenge, in the space of a few short weeks.

In football terms, Bluey has made the break straight up the middle of the international game and popped up the perfect pass for NZRL executive chairman Sel Pearson and his board.

The challenge facing the chairman is what to do with the ball.

It is firmly in his grip but the decision on whether to play it safe or go for the bigger rewards is a very challenging one.

McClennan's basic and transparent approach as coach of the Tri-Nations winning Kiwis is one that the NZRL itself would do well to take note of and follow.

The game has been delivered an opportunity on a plate to showcase itself and it is up to the NZRL to make it happen.

Kiwi captain Ruben Wiki's display during the series must rate as one of the most courageous of all time in New Zealand sport and I hope he is recognised accordingly.

This bloke is something special and deserves to be up there with the immortals of the game.

The way he led his team from the front was as good as anything I have seen in international football.

Pearson and his deputy, Sel Bennett, need to have a close look at their own team before too much longer, because certain positions can probably be improved.

Leading the NZRL is not the glamour position some other international administrators in the game enjoy. But the whole grandstand is watching and waiting to see what moves the two Sels can put on.

The most obvious is the retention of McClennan and his assistant Graeme Norton.

But they must also have the most professional support team and setup around them.

This includes the right people to find appropriate sponsorship, and manage the huge increase in media interest in the team.

It also includes a dedicated resource to ensure all eligible players, no matter where they are in the world, are free and able to be selected if the coach wants them.

That in itself is a formidable task which requires the skills of a diplomat to deal with NRL and English Superleague clubs.

After the Kiwis' amazing performance and success on the field, the NZRL board will all be in love with one another.

But it is important a bucket of cold water is tipped over that sort of thinking because clear-headedness and stability for the future is needed.

I know from personal experience that when things have gone well it is easy to slip into the comfort zone. We've seen it in so many other sports but this cannot be allowed to happen in league.

The NZRL should be happy with the outcome of the Tri-Nations but not satisfied.

They could do a lot worse than have a close look at what got Australia into the position they enjoyed for nearly 30 years.

There are two things they have that New Zealand doesn't. If we can replicate these two things in some way there is no reason the Kiwis can't remain world champions for years to come.

They have a great coaching scheme and the State of Origin.

In the late 70s, as Australia were preparing for their dominance of the league world, they were in a very similar position to that of the NZRL now.

They were seen as the team to beat internationally but they also recognised there was something missing.

After a study of major sporting organisations around the world they quickly identified the area that needed urgent attention - the coaching of coaches.

They developed their own coaching scheme and it became a benchmark in Australian sport.

I was fortunate enough to become involved with it at that time and without any doubt it provided a major launching pad for my own career.

I have always been outspoken about the lack of a decent coaching scheme here in New Zealand but now is the time to rectify that.

That to me is one of the most important things to address at this stage.

Another vital area is that of the NZRL representative programme.

This is a curly one because it requires the international board to regain control of the game which at present is in the hands of the NRL and English Superleague clubs.

The New Zealand and Australian boards need to show some teeth in this matter because at present they are being made to look like old aunties when it comes to standing up to the NRL.

The Pacificgate tape that was revealed a couple of weeks back was an example of the arrogance that a club can have towards the traditions of the game.

The proposed move by the Warriors owners, Cullen Sport, to shift some of their top players to a Pacifica rugby franchise, was despicable and showed a total lack of respect for not only league but also the NZRL.

The NZRL are minor shareholders in the Warriors but were treated with contempt, which is typical of how most of these professional clubs are treating international football.

They do not have the game at heart, only their own success.

These clubs are bullies and the only way to treat a bully is to stand up to them. This is the big question over the international board, can it do it, or more importantly, does it have the courage to do it?

It is not a coincidence that Australia's dominance has also come about since the start of the State of Origin concept.

A similar annual series must be put in place for New Zealand players which could be run over exactly the same time period as the Origin. The NZRL, with its new-found weight on the back of the Kiwis triumph, must insist on this, and ensure it happens.

How can the Australians logically reject it, if they allow their own Origin series. And the format must be one that produces the intensity Origin football is known for.

Pearson is carrying the football and has Bennett looming up in support.

The real question is whether or not the rest of the team are backing up in the right positions.

Chances like this are rare. Timing is important and this is the most important time the game here in New Zealand has faced.

We must honour these Kiwis by taking full advantage of the foundations they have laid.