Eels NRL assistant David Kidwell quits to join Michael Cheika Argentina’s Rugby World Cup tilt

Eels assistant David Kidwell reveals why he’s leaving Parramatta effective immediately to take a huge rugby union job with an ex-Wallabies coach.

David Kidwell. Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty

Parramatta’s assistant coach David Kidwell has made the shock decision to leave the club mid-season and take up a life-changing offer of helping Argentina win next year’s Rugby World Cup alongside Michael Cheika.

Kidwell informed Eels head coach Brad Arthur on Monday, and will join Los Pumas immediately.

Cheika, the former Wallabies coach now in charge of Argentina, has poached Kidwell with an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Stunningly, Kidwell will go from coaching against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium last Sunday to coaching against the Wallabies at the base of the Andes in Mendoza within 12 weeks.

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“I really thank Parramatta for the opportunity to coach here, I’ve seen the team go from the wooden spoon in 2018 to genuine contenders in the last couple of years,” Kidwell told News Corp.

“I’ve been part of that and I wish them every success, I’ll be watching every game from afar.

“We know what kind of team we can be, beating Melbourne in Melbourne, Penrith at Penrith, just shows what kind of team it is and the systems that are in place, it’s just a matter of producing that week in, week out.

NRL legend and former Eels assistant David Kidwell is chasing his union dream. Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty

“I was very honest with Brad, I told him that was a big opportunity for myself, I’ve been thinking about it for three or four years, if I don’t take it now I don’t think it will ever come again.

“The World Cup being so close, it’s an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. Argentina have been great, they’ve been very clear on what they want and how they want it.

“Cheik was pretty clear, he thought I’m the guy he wants as a defensive coach but was clear that he needed me this year.

“It’s building the squad and our plans for the World Cup, so I need to be there.”

Kidwell was assistant coach at Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers before he took over as New Zealand’s head coach in 2016. But after an unsuccessful stint he was sacked, and joined the Eels four years ago.

“Five years ago I really wanted to be a head coach in the NRL, I went for a couple of job opportunities and didn’t get them,” Kidwell said.

Kidwell will join former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika in Argentina. Picture: David Gray/AFP

“That didn’t stop me from wanting to be a head coach. But this opportunity, with the international rugby window, allows me to work hard for six months and then have a bit of downtime with my family.

“I’ll never say never to coming back to the NRL but I’m really excited for this opportunity now.

“It’s something I’ve been interested in for three or four years now, I’d done some work with Japan and their coach Jamie Joseph pre the 2019 World Cup, I was over there for six days.

“Cheik was back here after helping the Japanese team [NEC Green Rockets] and through a mutual friend we got talking about what I want to do in the future, we spoke about everything, and it’s something that’s grown.

“I told him I was obviously on contract with Parramatta, but he needed someone, going into the World Cup, to start this year.

“It’s weighed on my mind. It’s not in my character to quit on a contract.

“I talked it over with my wife and a couple of close friends, and it was clear this wasn’t an opportunity that I could pass.

“If I didn’t take it now, I’d regret it in my life. I’m not getting any younger.

“And it really stretches me as a coach and my skillset, going to a different sport, learning the technical side of rugby, to have my influence as a defence coach in rugby league and trying to put my defensive qualities into Argentina.”

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has recruited the rugby league hard man. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

Kidwell played in New Zealand’s under-16s schoolboys rugby team so is not a complete novice in the 15-man game.

“It’s an amazing feeling knowing I’m going to the World Cup over in France, it’s a global spectacle, it’s the third most watched sporting event in the world and to be part of that, having that on my CV, is very exciting,” Kidwell said.

“I said to Cheik, ‘I’m there to win’. I love winning more than I hate losing. I’m going over there with that mentality, ‘I’m here to win the World Cup’. That’s the kind of character I am.

“I see many similarities in defence between league and union. It’s a lot more technical in union but it’s a great challenge that I’ll take front on.

“I’m quite a detailed person in the defensive systems and the tackle, so having conversations with Cheik, more in-depth now I’ve come on board, and challenging some things they do in the system and trying to make it better and more aggressive.

“And I’m very keen to build a relationship with the players in Argentina as I have done at Parramatta.”

Kidwell’s first Test match will be on July 2 against Scotland, which is a three-match series.

The Rugby Championships start on August 6, with Argentina hosting the Wallabies in successive weeks in Mendoza and San Juan.

“Dave Rennie is a Kiwi and the Aussies have done well under him,” Kidwell said.

“The profile of rugby took a bit of a hit there over the past few years and they’ve pulled it back, but my concentration will be on Argentina, I’ve got a big job ahead.

“Ironically we play the All Blacks in Christchurch, in my home town (on August 27). I’ll probably have to grab all the tickets on Argentina’s side and have a wee corner in the stadium with all my friends and family.

“The All Blacks speak for themselves, but to go back to my hometown - with Covid I haven’t been back for three years – so to go back and coach against them is so exciting.”

Originally published as Eels NRL assistant David Kidwell quits to join Michael Cheika Argentina’s Rugby World Cup tilt