Kiwis pledge self control for World Cup

Last updated 23:35 20/10/2008

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The Kiwis are promising to be on their best behaviour at the World Cup despite management not enforcing curfews or alcohol bans.

The National Rugby League has endured another tumultuous year of off-field, alcohol-fuelled incidents, with the Brisbane Broncos taking the extraordinary step yesterday of recalling their players from holidays to reinforce behaviour guidelines after halfback Peter Wallace was arrested on Sunday night.

But New Zealand manager Gordon Gibbons said discipline had been placed firmly in the hands of the players, with an informal leadership group including captain Nathan Cayless and senior players David Kidwell and Benji Marshall setting the tone.

"As far as guidelines go it's about personal responsibility," Gibbons said.

"We have had a chat about what's acceptable behaviour and what's not, but at the end of the day it's entirely up to the players.

"We don't put any curfew on them, it's not `you will be back in the hotel by 10 o'clock' or anything like that and I think these guys are responsible enough to understand that.

"They are all professional footy players obviously and while it's impossible to be looking over their shoulders 24 hours a day, I've got the utmost faith in them that they are here to do a job and I don't think that they'd step over any unacceptable boundaries."

Under previous coach Gary Kemble, the Kiwis hit headlines last October after an alleged sexual assault at Lower Hutt's Angus Inn.

Police were "satisfied that an incident did take place" but dropped the investigation after being unable to prove any criminal culpability.

Asked if players were allowed to drink alcohol during the tournament, Gibbons said he expected it to be a non-issue.

"If the boys want to have a beer, they certainly can but I don't think they will.

"We're not saying `right, this is a dry camp' or something like that - I think all these boys accept that they are here to do a job and that they are fully responsible for their actions. They're committed."

The Wallace incident comes after a rocky year for the Broncos, who parted ways with long-time coach and Kiwis mentor Wayne Bennett at the end of the season.

Karmichael Hunt, Darius Boyd (both Australian players) and Sam Thaiday are under investigation over an alleged sexual assault at a Brisbane nightclub, while Kangaroos skipper Darren Lockyer recently admitted to manhandling a bar manager.

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The news has rung alarm bells in Fiji, with president Josefa Iloilo telling the national team to avoid trouble during the World Cup.

"You are going to a place where there is temptation and people just waiting to tempt you," Iloilo said at the team's farewell.

"The influence of alcohol on youths is one of the temptations you will face, so be prepared. Pray every morning and ask for the Lord's guidance.

"You are like soldiers going into the battlefield, so be focused and don't allow anything to distract you."

The Kiwis landed in Sydney on Sunday night, with Cayless attending a promotional captains call at Sydney Football Stadium yesterday.

They step up their preparations for their tournament opener against Australia on Sunday with a training session at Concord Oval today, with a feeling mounting that the cup might not be a complete one-horse race.

The New Zealand TAB reacted to the Kiwis 56-8 warmup rout of Tonga by shortening them to $5.50 second favourites, while Australia eased slightly to $1.23.

Australia will name their team today.

But New Zealand are waiting till tomorrow.

- © Fairfax NZ News