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SYDNEY - Almost a year since he played a role in the Kiwis' rugby league coaching coup, David Kidwell will finally play a test under the regime he risked his international career for.
The veteran forward was recalled yesterday to the Kiwis' bench for Saturday's final World Cup pool match against England in Newcastle, a dress rehearsal for a likely semifinal between the same sides a week later.
Kidwell's 25th test appearance will be his first in two years, since the memorable 2006 Tri-Nations final when the Kangaroos snuck home 16-12 in extra time.
Back in January, Kidwell followed captain Roy Asotasi into the trenches as they issued a stunning public vote of no-confidence in then-coach Gary Kemble and demanded Wayne Bennett's appointment.
They got their wish, with Bennett joining new boss Stephen Kearney, Kidwell's former coach at the Melbourne Storm.
"All the boys love having a professional environment with (Kearney and Bennett). I've been very impressed by them," Kidwell said.
"From the NRL it's just upped another level in Kiwi camp and I think that's what all the guys were hungry for."
Still, little has gone right for the senior Kiwis pair since then.
Asotasi was knocked senseless early in the Centenary test in May, then suffered a season-ending pectoral muscle tear which ruled him out of the World Cup.
Kidwell, 31, was in the Centenary test squad but not picked for the 17, and wasn't required for the Kiwis' past three tests against Tonga, Australia and last Saturday's 48-6 win over Papua New Guinea.
It was also a frustrating NRL season at South Sydney where Kidwell was dropped from the top side by coach Jason Taylor then slogged it out in the gym to earn a recall. He'd played just five NRL matches in 2007 thanks to a knee injury suffered when he tripped over his young daughter at a family barbecue.
"You never give up hope, you always try and do your best and I love playing in the black and white," Kidwell said.
"I put my heart and soul in there. I've got a lot of ties back in New Zealand so there's a lot of pride there for me."
Example: the 2006 Tri-Nations when he flattened Kangaroos prop Willie Mason with a front-on tackle after Mason mocked Brent Webb during the haka.
Now Kidwell hopes to prove himself worthy of a semifinal spot, no easy task with the injured Sika Manu and the rested Setaimata Sa ahead of him in the second-rowers' queue.
"I'm very excited. We've been training hard and we've got to try and put some pressure on the boys that have got spots and get into that semifinal team.
"I think everyone has got a chance. That's the feeling in the camp, we all work together and we all push each other hard. Stephen's always said that from day one."
Kidwell has only played one serious match since the Rabbitohs missed the NRL playoffs, for the All Golds against New Zealand Maori.
The star of that day, longtime Kiwis teammate Ruben Wiki, has ensured Kidwell's fitness hasn't slipped in his role as team trainer. Even if Wiki may not be as popular as before.
"I had a game about three weeks ago so that just made me more motivated to come into this game," Kidwell said.
"The last three weeks we've been getting hammered by Rubes and the trainers but it's been good fun, the boys have stuck together and (selection) is a bit of a reward for the hard work we've been putting in."
Kiwis
Lance Hohaia, Jason Nightigale, Steve Matai, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Benji Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Adam Blair, Nathan Fien, Evarn Tuimavave, Simon Mannering, David Fa'alogo, Jeremy Smith (captain).
Interchange: Issac Luke, Greg Eastwood, Bronson Harrison, David Kidwell.
England squad
Rob Burrow, Mark Calderwood, Gareth Ellis, Martin Gleeson, Mickey Higham, Gareth Hock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jamie Langley, Danny McGuire, Adrian Morley, Jamie Peacock (capt), Leon Pryce, Rob Purdham, Keith Senior, Kevin Sinfield, Lee Smith, Paul Sykes, Paul Wellens, Ben Westwood.
- NZPA
