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Rugby League

New Zealand rugby league coach ousted by players' revolt

19/01/2008

New Zealand rugby league coach Gary Kemble has quit his post following a major dispute with star Kiwi players.

Kemble had been coach for less six months but a dismal record of one win in five matches provoked a vote of no confidence from senior figures in his squad.

The former Hull player took up the national side reins after Brian McClennan departed to take charge of Super League champions Leeds Rhinos in August last year.

A 3-0 whitewash followed for New Zealand on their tour of Great Britain before Australia inflicted a record 58-0 thrashing on their Tasman neighbours.

Skipper Roy Asotasi subsequently expressed a desire to see former Kangaroos coach Wayne Bennett appointed to avert a potentially-disastrous World Cup campaign later this year.

Kemble attempted to ease the crisis through an emergency meeting with the players but he came away without their backing.

"As a former Kiwi player, I'd have to say it was very disappointing to see the way they [the players] handled the issue. They could have gone through other channels," Kemble said.

It is expected that Bennett will soon be ushered into the job to get New Zealand's World Cup preparations back on track.

"This hasn't been a good week for the game in this country," New Zealand Rugby League chairman Ray Haffenden said.

"As a board we weren't at all impressed with the conduct of the players in this matter. It wasn't appropriate or acceptable."