KEY POINTS:
Player power can be an unsavoury beast. Too often it is the refuge of the arrogant and those eager to maintain a culture of complacency, whatever a team's ineptness or their own personal shortcomings, when a coach seeks to shake things up. It can, however, be a positive influence. Players who care about their team's performance and have pinpointed the reasons for its failings should be able to exert influence. At last year's Rugby World Cup, this was illustrated vividly when the England players orchestrated changes that carried a bunch of apparent no-hopers all the way to the final. Now, leading New Zealand rugby league players want, quite reasonably, to orchestrate a similar transformation.
The source of their discontent is coach Gary Kemble. Since taking charge of the Kiwis last year, he has overseen a record 0-58 loss to Australia, a 0-3 test series defeat by Great Britain and a scrambled win over France. Had the players been asked of their preference before Kemble was appointed, they would doubtless have sought someone far more experienced. As it was, captain Roy Asotasi started complaining that the coach was out of his depth during the series in Britain.
It might have been thought that the inspirational leader's dissatisfaction, and the views of other players, would have been a key concern when Kemble's future was considered by the NZRL board. This should have been a central focus in settling on the best course for a team whose morale had been damaged so severely that it appeared unlikely to be a meaningful force at this year's World Cup. Clearly, the NZRL had its concerns and, therefore, put out feelers for former Australian coach Wayne Bennett to play a role in the Kiwis' coaching structure. Its main decision, however, was to reappoint Kemble.
Since then, a frustrated Asotasi has been stewing. Any discussions with NZRL officials have obviously been unproductive and seemingly devoid of clear information about what was happening behind the scenes. This week, Asotasi decided he had no option but to repeat his criticism of Kemble. Tellingly, his stand was quickly backed by another leading Kiwi player, David Kidwell, even though Kidwell had been warned by the NZRL not to speak out publicly.
The NZRL seems, regrettably, not to want to take the message on board. Its response has been to condemn and even belittle Asotasi for talking out of turn, and to threaten to strip him of the captaincy. It would do better to look at what has driven him to speak out. This is not a player acting to advance or protect his personal interests. Indeed, despite criticism that New Zealand players based in Australia have little interest or pride in the Kiwi jersey, that seems to be precisely his motivation. His sole concern is that the Kiwis play as well as possible. The best possible coach is an integral part of that. He would be happy with Bennett, who made a strong impression in a guest coaching role with the All Golds invitation side on the British tour.
Clearly, Kemble has lost the respect of the leading Kiwis. That is fatal in any dressing room. The depth of disillusionment is evidenced by professional sportsmen talking of walkouts or representing Tonga or Samoa at the World Cup. It seems extraordinary that to get the message across, those players have had to put their own international careers on the line. They should be applauded for their stand, not reprimanded at today's NZRL board meeting. As a minimum compromise, the board must also ensure Bennett has a prominent position on the Kiwi coaching staff. If this is done, there is no doubt whose voice will be listened to when the World Cup kicks off.
