Graham Lowe: Time Kiwis put old warhorses out to pasture

Over the years, I've been silly enough to invest a good few bob on the horses, as a punter and a part-owner. My career as an owner finished one weekend when I was coach of the Cowboys.

My wife Karen and I went north from Townsville to a country race meeting where the horse we part-owned was running. We had a reasonable punt but the horse hardly fired a shot, prompting the trainer to declare that it desperately needed a spell.

We agreed with our syndicate partners that he should be turned out and headed back to Townsville disappointed but hoping the horse still had a few years' racing left.

On the Monday I received a call from a co-owner asking whether we had got on it. On what? I asked. On the bloody horse, he said, adding that the trainer started him again that day and he bolted in at 12-1.

That lesson cured me of racing involvement. But it reminded me of the problem all league coaches face constantly: how to keep the playing talent fresh and focused, and how to predict when the old horseflesh needs a spell.

In their old warhorses Steve Price and Ruben Wiki, the Warriors can boast two of the best front rowers in the game. But young colts like Manu Vatuvei, Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati and Patrick AhVan are bringing a fresh, high energy and commitment perspective to the team and the results are speaking for themselves.

This approach is in stark contrast to what we saw during the Kiwis test against Great Britain last week. Most fans love to see the old warhorses. But, as we saw at St Helens, there comes a time to put some out to pasture. Indeed, a few in Brian McClennan's squad should never have been brought in from the paddock.

When veterans get the nod in front of youngsters and fail miserably, fans won't accept the preposterous spin of Selwyn Bennett and the NZRL that we should be proud of the team for what they achieved in England.

In contrast, the increasingly impressive Ivan Cleary has backed the ability of his Warriors lineup and can now field a side with the right balance of youth and experience.

Although the Warriors face their toughest challenge for a while against the Dogs this weekend, there shouldn't be much in it.

The excitement of distant times when coaches picked bolters from reserve grade or lower has unfortunately gone. Most NRL coaches (this could include the Kiwis' coach) feel under pressure and see any selection of a young Neville Nobody as a risk they can ill afford.

In my experience, games are not usually lost because of an inexperienced youngster you put in. More likely it was a few of the veterans that let you down.

The Warriors' poor form earlier this season was due to several factors - not the least being more experienced players not playing well. The Kiwis' selectors have shown a distinct lack of confidence as far as introducing youth. They have had frontline players in the NRL flogged by Australia, and those in the English Superleague humiliated by the Poms.

McClennan and his selectors now have a difficult job ahead of them in picking a team to win the Tri-Nations.

The real pleasure in footy for me isn't about a beautiful game, but local youngsters getting a go and if they do happen to lose, going down with all guns blazing.

It's time for McClennan and his fellow selectors to show more creativity if they want the fans to return in numbers.

* The Gold Coast is a long way from the challenges facing the NZRL but it is there that chairman Sel Bennett and his board could find a solution to the international problems.

The most successful people in league are those who have been prepared to think outside the square.

The Gold Coast is way out there - and so is former Australian Rugby League and International Rugby League boss, Ken (Arko) Arthurson. Under his leadership the game set benchmarks that are still followed by many other sports around the world.

Arthurson still enjoys absolute respect in Australia even though he has been retired for six years. His skill as a negotiator would do the United Nations proud - and this could be put to effect in supporting the difficult issues facing McClennan when he tries secure the services of Kiwis playing in the NRL.

Bennett is behind the eight ball before he even starts when dealing with his counterparts across the Tasman because of the lack of respect at a board level he has inherited.

Not since the days of Ron McGregor as NZRL chairman has New Zealand enjoyed a comfortable, equal relationship with the Aussies - and that was because McGregor and Arthurson had mutual respect.

Traditionally, Australia has always been able to sit down as big brother at the international board table, but with Arko as boss, Ron McGregor was still able to ensure a good deal for the Kiwis.

Bennett could do a lot worse than seek Arthurson's support for what is looming as D-Day for the game internationally.

* In an outstanding third and deciding game in Melbourne on Wednesday night, Origin Football is once again the jewel in the crown of league.

It was an out standing victory for Queensland to clinch the series.

This series illustrates the importance of New Zealand getting the right results at the negotiating table when they sit down to thrash out the player eligibility issues.

The problem is test football will be once again seen as a yarn by the NRL and the ARL after the outstanding three contests this year and State of Origin proving it is the product the public love. Go the Queenslanders.