Gary Kemble. Photo / Mark Mitchell
So the New Zealand Rugby League is dismayed and surprised that Kiwi captain Roy Asotasi has publicly declared national coach Gary Kemble is out of his depth and should be replaced.
They should comfort themselves. We knew this anyway, helped by the NZRL's very own director of football,
Graham Lowe, who pointed this out during last year's tour of England.
"I think he [Kemble] looks out of his depth as well to me at the moment but all coaches know you either sink or swim, you all get out of your depth at some stage but that's inexperience that's all that is," is how Lowe was quoted after Britain smashed the Kiwis 44-0.
The real shock is that the NZRL reappointed Kemble after his disastrous first year in charge, and that they continue to limit their choices by holding on to a rule which bans overseas-based coaches.
Clearly, there was something seriously wrong with the Kiwis in 2007. Seriously wrong. Asotasi has never struck me as a troublemaker. That he is so prepared to point out Kemble's failings is a crucial point.
The reality facing the NZRL is that the Australian-based Kiwis do hold some power. Certain players also hold a lot of influence.
Nigel Vagana was a key man in former coach Brian McClennan's plans, and Asotasi is the heir apparent in this regard. He needs to be listened to, not talked down to.
Solutions? If Wayne Bennett is the only immediate answer, grab it. It would be so much better if a Kiwi with the right credentials was available. But a Kiwi team coached by Kemble is a recipe for a World Cup disaster.
