Graham Lowe: Revival of the fittest

New Zealand league suffered the predictably fatal season-ending blows against a competent Great Britain side at Hull at the weekend, and what was left of the body returned to New Zealand during the week.

The tragedy of a tormented season is clear for everyone to see in the record books of the 2004 Kiwis - played six, drew one and lost five.

That tragedy will be compounded unless a thorough autopsy is conducted swiftly and dispassionately.

It is now up to the New Zealand Rugby League to scrutinise every aspect of a disappointing season.

And, I'm afraid to say, there must be casualties. Accountability is vital if the game in this country is to bounce back.

And that should start with clear lines of responsibility.

The NZRL must have an experienced football director or manager who makes the key appointments by selection, not election, and then stands or falls on the results.

Sadly, I suspect enough time will elapse before the Kiwis assemble and play again to allow the NZRL to let the unsatisfactory performances of 2004 quietly drift into the ether.

For league fans in this country, Sunday's Tri-Nations final between Australia and Great Britain is now purely academic.

A win to the Great Britain will be a fairytale finish to their campaign. On the other hand, none of the Australian players will want to be part of a team that was the first to lose a series since the 1978 Kangaroos lost to France.

In New Zealand, we can look to next season with a fair bit of optimism riding on the Warriors.

It is very apparent that season 2004 has been consigned to the bin and rightly so.

But chief executive Mick Watson and company haven't been sitting on their hands and have made some bold adjustments to the coaching staff.

As assistant coaches, former crowd favourites Ivan Cleary and Kevin Campion will add plenty to head coach Tony Kemp's options, and if he uses them properly they could hold the key that restarts the Warriors machine.

When you include John Ackland and Tony Iro to the coaching team, the club should never be short of an idea.

One of Kemp's most difficult tasks this year will be making sure his players know who is boss and then acting like a boss.

The Warriors this season lacked in a number of areas and it appeared to me fitness was at the top of the list.

If that aspect alone is improved so will the club's prospects for next year.

In fact a return to the basics could see the club revisit their glory of just a couple of seasons ago.

I'm expecting a great season from Stacey Jones because he has been able to enjoy his first decent break from the game for a long time.

I'm sure also that Jones will have looked at the Kiwis' performances and will be out to remind everyone that he is still the most influential player in New Zealand.

There were times this year I thought the little bloke should retire, but making the decision to step down from the international game should revitalise his career.

This is where the previous playing experience of the coaching staff will be of great benefit. No one knows better than an ex-player what it is like to feel drained, which is what had happened to Jones.

There is a wealth of talent available to pick from and from the ashes of this season we should see a very competitive club emerge.

Next season I see big changes in the following 10 areas:

1 A new level of inspirational leadership and respect in the game, from Ruben Wiki and Steve Price, that will add enormous value to the Warriors and we will see a far better performing ruck area in defence and attack.

2 Stacey Jones will get far more space to weave his magic because the rucks will be better organised.

3 The players will be aerobically fitter than they have been in recent years and if that proves to be the case, I have no doubt they have what it takes to make the semifinals.

4 Fresh ideas from Ivan Cleary and Kevin Campion will help if the players are prepared to listen. Campion's no-nonsense attitude could not have come at a better time for some of the players, and in Ivan Cleary, the players will see a new level of professionalism to live up to.

5 Monty Betham will have his best season without the responsibilities of his team-mates to worry about. The coaching staff should settle on a position for Betham and let him get on with it.

6 The experience chief executive Mick Watson has gained at the job in both good and bad times over the past few years will help him in his leadership role.

7 Jerome Ropati will emerge as a major strike player for the club.

8 Super scout John Ackland will unearth another Sonny Bill Williams - only this one will wear a Warriors jumper.

9 Clinton Toopi will regain his best form and again be among the leading tryscorers.

10 The club will start with more confidence due to a higher level of expectation with the changes that have been made off-season.

2004 has not been a good season for the reputation of league in this country but the amazing thing is that people are already looking forward to next year. That's what this game does to you. Roll on 2005.

Graham Lowe will be back on March 10 for the start of next year's NRL.