Graham Lowe: Let the good times roll

It's not the New Zealand way to make bold predictions. Heaven forbid, they may not come true. On the other hand, Aussies seem to have no problem putting their confidence not only on show, but under the spotlight.

So, setting myself firmly against the New Zealand way, I am going to make a bold prediction about the Kiwi league team under new coach Brian McClennan.

League in New Zealand is about to embark on one of the most successful eras in its history.

That's how confident I am in the ability of the new Kiwi coach.

McClennan's appointment is the most significant decision made by the NZRL in the past decade.

While players are tested on the field, administrations are ultimately judged by decisions, and this board has passed its most important test in recent memory with flying colours.

McClennan brings everything to the table that has been missing from the game in New Zealand for at least the last couple of years.

The strength of my endorsement of the new coach will surprise some.

My most ardent critic, radio rah-rah Murray Deaker, believes I have a mission to criticise every Kiwi coach into oblivion.

Despite his own sometimes near-fanatical crusades of criticism against individuals, Deaker doesn't seem to accept that honest opinion is as much the stock-in-trade of an informed newspaper columnist as it is for a talkback host (even when he doesn't agree with it).

Over my years as a coach I've been criticised by experts who'd make any world team for character assassination. I've always figured that at least they are talking about me, and a half-decent coaching record usually guaranteed employment certainty anyway.

As former Kiwis captain and Warriors coach Mark Graham once said, opinions are like backsides - everyone has one.

Whatever coach-killing powers have been ascribed to me, I'm pleased to say, this time it's different.

A Kiwis coach needs to be able to ensure players are not only prepared to play their guts out for New Zealand but will never let you down personally.

In a league test, this often means players having to play on with severe injuries. But at this level the players need to have the mental strength to keep fighting long after their bodies tell them to quit.

It may sound barbaric but that's what is required when you are playing for your country.

Because a test is exactly what it is. It's a test of strength, heart, ability and the will to win.

Test football can be very brutal, and you need to be prepared to do anything to win.

Brian McClennan has the ability to instil those ingredients and that level of desire into his players.

He is a player's coach and his players will want to perform for him.

McClennan has a wonderful league heritage.

His father Mike was a brilliant footballer, and one of the best coaches New Zealand has produced.

Brian will rekindle the passion in the Kiwis and fill their bellies with fire.

And he is the type of guy who will be able to extract more out of the players than they thought they had.

I am on the record with my concern about how the Kiwis have been playing in the past two years.

But I've been even more worried about the lack of apparent accountability in the coaching set-up, with several disastrous Kiwis performances appearing not to concern the NZRL.

Brian McClennan has served a solid apprenticeship as a coach in New Zealand.

I don't have the slightest doubt he has all the qualities and potential to become one of this country's top international coaches.

He has cut his coaching teeth at all levels of the game in New Zealand.

Despite what some may think, that makes him as well-qualified as any Aussie in the Jim Beam Cup in NSW or the Queensland Cup competitions in Australia.

The Aussies may not have heard of McClennan but they will soon be aware of his ability and I can see a few of the NRL clubs trying to headhunt him when they see the results of his coaching at test level.

A coach doesn't get players to give everything in a test match by asking or trying to inspire them a week or so before the event.

The coach needs to get into players' heads as early as possible and with his thoroughness and attention to detail, I would expect that McClennan has already started this process.

I can't wait to see the difference in attitude in his first test team.

He will also have the counsel of Graeme Norton, another very talented coach who has impressive credentials and a trail of success behind him.

Coaching can be a lonely job and the support of an experienced shoulder to lean on is invaluable.

More so when that someone will tell you the truth, as opposed to what you might want to hear.

Norton is such a man and McClennan and he will form a great partnership that I think will propel New Zealand league to its greatest era of modern times.