Rugby League: Elder statesman's free flow of advice

By PETER JESSUP

Stephen Kearney is listening for a bit more banter from his Kiwi team-mates to tell him that the new millennium Kiwis are settling into a test pattern.

Kearney is the elder statesman now long-serving props John Lomax and Terry Hermansson have retired, and Quentin Pongia has been overlooked.

He will have reason for a long celebration if the Kiwis beat France at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday because he turns 29 on Monday.

It will be Kearney's 38th international. Only new coach Gary Freeman (47) is ahead of him.

Freeman is Kearney's third Kiwi coach since he made his debut in 1993 under Howie Tamati. He then had six years in Frank Endacott's side.

Does it feel different?

"It's a young side. They're a bit apprehensive at the moment, but I'm sure the personalities will start to surface after a few days," Kearney said.

A young star who became the youngest Kiwi captain, Kearney has settled into a role as consistent hardman in the middle.

He doesn't make the ball errors or give away the silly penalties he used to.

Anyone who saw him smash the Warriors at Ericsson three weekends ago knows the damage he can do and the ground he makes off the ruck.

The youngsters look up to him and ask for advice and he's happy to give it.

New fullback Motu Tony is Kearney's room-mate, and the only area where the skipper insists on seniority is the music.

"I don't mind anything really, but he's already asked me if he can play his hip-hop ... and I'm an accommodating sort of bloke."

The advice runs to football, too. The last to leave the training paddock yesterday were Kearney and former team-mate-turned-coach Freeman as they settled the patterns expected on Sunday. Kearney will lead them through by example.

"There's some very exciting prospects in the side," he said. "It is the start of a new era ... They've got heaps of enthusiasm and it makes for a good feel in the team."

Kearney, who has had 181 premiership games for Wests, the Warriors and the Melbourne Storm since his debut in 1992, said the break they had from the NRL for Origin One had freshened those not involved.

"Everyone was desperate for a break a few weeks back and that week off did us the world of good."