Graham Lowe: Off to see a man 'bout a dog

North Yorkshire folk have a unique way of seeing things.

Their dry, even laconic humour, expressed in the almost unintelligible accent of the region, allows them to sum up problems in the simplest, but most graphic, of ways.

One of their favourite sayings which has always stuck with me is "let the dog see the rabbit".

Of course, it comes from greyhound racing, and means that it's more effective if the dog can see the prize it is chasing, rather than just haring off after the other dogs.

I'm told it comes from the days when every man wore an Andy Capp hat, kept coal in the bath and a whippet in the back shed.

Whether that's the case or not, the line certainly has a lot of truth and wisdom in it, and could be a useful tip for our premier league coaches in New Zealand.

Because it seems to me that the Warriors and the Kiwis have both lost sight of what it is they are chasing.

The rabbit for the Warriors is reaching the semifinals.

For the Kiwis, it is to defend their Tri-Nations title.

It's easy to argue that at both levels, they've somehow lost sight of the real goals, and the way to reach them.

There's one more lesson we can take from the Yorkshiremen. It comes in the surprising shape of one of the most boring and self-centred cricketers the world has ever seen.

Geoffrey Boycott was one of the favourite sons of the north of England and a cricketing legend. He was excused for the tedious way he went about accumulating runs because he got the job done.

He may have been painfully, even paralysingly slow at times, but it is hard to deny that when he was at the crease, the run rate did inevitably move forward.

The fact was, he was prepared to learn to walk before he could run.

The point I'm making is that he did a job for his team by consistently laying a platform.

It's this type of platform that needs to be laid at the Warriors and the Kiwis.

The Warriors are in a week-to-week contest so their needs are slightly different to the Kiwis in terms of the type of platform required.

It's not hard to analyse just what they are missing, or perhaps even ignoring.

Most sides in the NRL have a platform based around five key components.

These are a good kicking game, sound marker defence, a strong go-forward game, direction around the park, and organised attacking options when in the strike zone.

Sadly the Warriors are lacking in each of these areas.

On the other hand, the Kiwis need to rely on a strong platform of player depth off the field before they even get into the contest.

The game against Great Britain at the end of next month is a great opportunity for coach Brian McClennan to have a look at new players.

They'll be involved in a match that will provide the intensity that answers the questions for selectors about whether untried players can handle the step up to that level of football.

I've heard debate about whether it is a game which deserves to command full test status. For me the question is irrelevant. It must be used as part of the preparation to defend the Tri-Nations title and nothing else should matter.

Sure it would be great to win, but of more importance will be discovering new talent, particularly at halfback and five-eighth.

Stacey Jones will hopefully be injury free but I don't think he should be considered.

The selectors know what he can do, and if he is fit he will be a bonus during the tri-series.

The selectors will probably try a couple of younger prospects from the NRL, such as Jeremy Smith from the Eels.

But I would include at least a couple of New Zealand-based players and I wouldn't be afraid to get them from the National Junior competition.

It's crystal clear that new blood is needed for the critical number six and seven positions. My inclination would be to give a kid a go from this under-18 competition.

It's easy to argue that the step up to full international level is too high for an 18-year-old, and I'm not suggesting it is easy.

But the selectors should not view this game as one in which no risks can afford to be taken when picking the players.

On the contrary, the greatest risk they face for the future of the game is not to take a risk.

The system currently being used is just regurgitating known players and it doesn't work.

Another alarming factor is that if no young talent (particularly at halfback or five-eighth) is recruited by NRL clubs over the next five years, where does that leave us?

Rather than leaving it to the Australians, we in New Zealand need to show faith in up-and-coming talent.

New Zealand has always whinged that the Aussies gain too much advantage with their Origin footy during the year.

Now I think NZRL chairman Sel Bennett has negotiated with the Brits a concept we have needed for a long time. This is to be an annual fixture with Great Britain and is a great way to develop our talent.

I absolutely refuse to believe there is not a young player in this country who not only could rise to the challenge but do a far better job than some did in the Anzac test match a couple of weeks back.

It's just that they need to be shown the rabbit, and given the opportunity to chase it.

* Meanwhile, in Auckland's Fox Memorial competition this week, my old club, Otahuhu, play new boys on the block East Coast Bays at Henham Park.

Coached by Warwick Anderson, father of Vinnie and Louis, the Barracudas are surprise leaders of the competition after two rounds.

Although winger Richard Nauer and hooker Hika Mihaka are in good form for ECB I expect the Richie Blackmore-coached Leopards, who haven't won a game yet, to be fired up and take the cash.

Other winners look like Northcote over Te Atatu, Mt Albert over Mangere East and Marist over Papakura.