Mal Meninga turns to Diggers to inspire Kangaroos for New Zealand Test
AUSTRALIAN coach Mal Meninga has invoked the memory of the seven Kangaroos who died in World War I the focus of camp in New Zealand. Plus, Wayne Bennett in a Titans kit?
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THEY have been dubbed “The Magnificent VII”. The seven Kangaroos who died in World War I. Australian coach Mal Meninga has made the memory of the fallen soldiers a focal point of the Kangaroos’ camp in New Zealand.
Each player and staff member has VII embroidered on their training shorts, while a history lesson is given to the group about the Australian players who died in action.
The players are told of the promising careers of the likes of Kangaroo No.2 Frank Cheadle to No.94 Bob Tidyman — their early life, playing days and their death in battle.
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“It’s pretty humbling,” skipper Boyd Cordner said. “You don’t realise how lucky you’ve got it until you stand around a huddle and the stories are being read out about how they lost their lives. These guys went and fought for our country instead of playing for it.
“To sacrifice what they did for us, to allow us to be where we are. It’s about respecting the history. It gives you goosebumps. We’re loving the stories. It’s a really good initiative that Mal has brought in.”
Mateship, equality, friendship and solidarity have been the Kangaroos’ theme this week. The words are pinned in the Australian team room at their hotel, as are the names of “The Magnificent VII”.
Another banner lists the Australian players who served in World War I and II.
When competing in training drills, the Kangaroos are split into three groups wearing singlets which represent either the navy, army or air force.
Tyson Frizell said the insights were “inspirational”.
“During this campaign, Mal wants us to stand for mateship,” Frizell said. “He is really strong on history and remembering the past players who have worn this jersey. It has given us some meaning and understanding.
“It has been 100 years since the end of World War I, so it’s great for us players coming through to understand the history behind the jersey.
“When we hear their story and how they passed away, it’s very quiet. It’s very moving to understand the history of it all. All ears are on. Everyone is pretty clued in to listen to the stories.”
The players will also wear a commemorative jersey at today’s captain’s run.
COACHES CLOSER TO UNION
THE NRL Coaches Union is one step closer to becoming a reality after appointing Kangaroos boss Mal Meninga as its inaugural chairman.
Former Canberra, North Queensland and Gold Coast coach Neil Henry has been given a charter to put the union together in a first for rugby league. He is in the midst of finalising the board but Meninga will come on as chairman.
Henry said he had looked at replicating the AFL’s association after all 16 NRL head coaches agreed to be members.
Assistant coaches and women’s coaches are potential members and Henry is hopeful that about 50 people will join.
“We need support for coaches,” Henry said.
“It’s important for our developing coaches. We want to develop pathways for our younger coaches or less experienced coaches and a little bit around the before, during and after coaching, during the welfare and transition into another role after football or another job.
“We’ve talked to the NRL about a bit of funding. We’re in the budget there.”
BENNETT WON’T JOIN TITANS
WAYNE Bennett in full Gold Coast Titans kit …
It is enough to scare your hair white but the photo is doing the rounds as speculation continues about Bennett’s future at Brisbane.
The photo lobbed on the Titans’ desk a short time ago as part of a proposal for Bennett to take charge of the club — among claims he does not want to live away from Brisbane — but the Titans are not treating it seriously.
“We did have an approach but couldn’t really say whether it was legitimate or speculative,” chairman Dennis Watt said.
Asked about Bennett’s appearance in Titans kit — clearly photoshopped — Watt laughed.
“They might have done,” he said.
Watt appreciated the approach, from a couple of player managers not officially representing Bennett, but said the Titans are more than content with current coach Garth Brennan.
“We think he is a young coach with a future,” he said.
The Titans are currently working on providing better structure for Brennan as they take the next leap forward.
FRIZELL’S LOYALTY TEST
HIS brother is an All Black but Tyson Frizell is expecting brother Shannon to cheer him on from the crowd on Saturday.
Family values would have been tested next week for Tongan-born Shannon when Frizell faces the Mate Ma’a.
“He is back for a week,” Tyson said. “It’s a pity he can’t be here next week. He would enjoy that game.”
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LATRELL Mitchell may be the most potent attacking player in the game but that didn’t stop a Kiwi host getting him confused with former Roosters teammate Mitchell Pearce a handful of times. Mitchell happily chatted away at the public signing session in Auckland on Friday despite being labelled Mitchell Pearce throughout the brief interview.
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THERE is a push to up the age of the Junior Kangaroos from under-20s to allow players who are under 23 to feature.
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AUSTRALIAN players were addressed by a “sleep specialist” in camp this week in a bid to aid their snoozing patterns.
MALONEY MAKES A BOLT FOR IT
Penrith star James Maloney would have been playing for the Kangaroos this weekend if it wasn’t for a neck injury.
Instead he and wife Jess and their children Jesse, Layla, Kade and Ethan spent time mingling with Usain Bolt on Wednesday after a Mariners training session at Plum Park in Tuggerah.
Maloney is one of the great Central Coast success stories, and we’re tipping he gave Bolt the inside word on the go-to places around Gosford.
JAKE STILL BACKING CARTY
MANLY may have cooled on appointing John Cartwright as their head coach but the former Gold Coat mentor still has the support of Sea Eagles star Jake Trbojevic.
Cartwright was pencilled in as Manly coach just weeks ago but the Sea Eagles have explored other options since.
Michael Maguire rejected the job, while Jason Taylor was linked to the position on Thursday.
Trbojevic, in Auckland with the Kangaroos, sounded out Australian teammates James Tedesco and Luke Keary after news broke of Taylor potentially joining Manly.
“They had him at the Roosters and they really liked him,” Trbojevic said.
“He was their attacking coach and we saw how well he did there. If he did get the job it would be a good thing.”
Trbojevic is adamant Manly officials should not discard Barrett’s assistant Cartwright, who last coached in the NRL in 2014.
“He has been there the last three years,” he said. “He has a great resume. He has coached in the NRL before so he knows what it is like. He has coached at Origin level as an assistant.
“He has played for Australia, played for the Blues, and had a great career at Penrith. He would be next in line. It would be an easy transition.”
Trbojevic has stayed in close contact with Barrett despite the coach’s dramatic fallout with Manly management.
“It’s tough,” Trbojevic said. “I am just a big fan of Trent Barrett’s. To see him not at the club next year is tough. I’ve learnt so much from him.
“I spoke to him during the week. He rang to say congratulations. We need some clarity, especially (before training resumes on) November 5. I am sure they will get it sorted out.”
GREECE IS THE WORD
CAN this be the new face of rugby league in Greece? Maria Nikolopoulou, from Rhodes, is preparing to represent Greece in their first female international against Turkey in Turkey early next year.
KLEM UNHAPPY WITH WOODS CHOP
DAVID Klemmer and Aaron Woods are the best of mates. inseparable during representative camps, the pair were dragged apart when Woods shifted from Canterbury to join Cronulla midway through the season.
Klemmer said the criticism Woods copped for his performances at Canterbury was unfair.
“I thought he was going good at the Dogs,” Klemmer said.
“Because we weren’t winning everyone was getting sprayed. He went to the Sharks and did the exact same thing.
“He was getting all the plaudits again. Rugby league is a funny thing.
“He finished the season off strong in Cronulla. He is back playing for Australia. I’m happy for him.”
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
MATTHEW Reid was 12 when he caught Ian Chappell and Mike Gibson on Wide World of Sports talking about some bloke running across Canada with one leg, his other amputated after a fight with cancer.
Then 35 years later Reid picked up an old Reader’s Digest that told the story of Terry Fox, the Canadian who was forced to give up his run three-quarters across Canada because his cancer came back.
“Something clicked,” Reid said, and he got out his joggers and ran from Melbourne to Sydney to raise money for charity in the name of Terry Fox.
Worldwide, more than $750 million has been raised in Fox’s name.
Reid has organised the Terry Fox Run Australia for November 25 at Meadowbank. All money raised will go to the Children’s Medical Research Institute and people can register on the Terry Fox Run Australia Facebook page.
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