KEY POINTS:
This week the Kiwis have been under the hammer despite the improved performance in the first test against Great Britain. Everyone - players, coaches and even the administrators - have needed to work overtime to become a closer unit.
There is too much independence within this group and, until they can all sing from the same song sheet, the pain may continue a little longer. Publicly, they are saying all the right things and portraying a united front but there is an underlying tone.
When there is continual casual communication of how well everyone is getting on, then there is something to be concerned about. It's like receiving the full confidence of the board and knowing that within a short time you are history.
Now I wish to clarify an article out of Australia claiming my desire to see Gary Kemble out of his job.
Yes I did speak to a reporter but I was calling for us to be patient with the coach. The reporter was looking for something that was going cause a sensation.
Well, he got what he was looking for as he probed me for a name of an NRL or Australian coach whom I thought would be good enough to coach the Kiwi team. He threw names at me and I, 'tongue in cheek' mentioned Wayne Bennett's name as he had just coached the All Golds team. Blow me down when the headline in Australia read "Hugh McGahan pleads for Wayne Bennett to take over the coaching of New Zealand" or words to that effect.
My words to him were that we should be waiting until this test series or tour is over then judge the performance of the team. If the losses continue, I said we'd need to assess if it's a player or a coaching problem.
But no, he wanted to take a small portion of our discussion, add a couple of adjectives and use his journalistic licence to make something of nothing; because nothing was what I gave him as I know how these things can be blown out of proportion.
I detest the way some people can inflate a story. I have an inclination to say what is on my mind and it can be interpreted as harsh, but I say what I believe and I will not apologise for that.
I am careful how I put forward my argument and I do not set out to harm, but when I am misquoted or something has been used in a different context that really gets up my nose.
Gary is a good friend and I want him to succeed - but if he wishes to remain in the cauldron of the highest coaching position in this country, he does need to work tirelessly to win the respect and confidence of a lot of people including players, coaches and, yes, even the administrators.
