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Find your frequency‘Very player driven’: How leadership experience drives the Kiwis' World Cup campaign
Sport Nation • October 15th, 2026 9:03 am
James Fisher-Harris | Photo: Robbie Stephenson/Photosport
The Kiwis are drawing on their wealth of experience as they prepare to open their Rugby League World Cup campaign against the Kangaroos on Thursday, with senior players helping shape the team’s approach.
Warriors captain James Fisher-Harris, Knights captain Kalyn Ponga, and Raiders captain Joseph Tapine are all leaders at their respective NRL club's, helping lead the Stacey Jones-coached Kiwis alongside Kiwis stalwarts Moses Leota, Jahrome Hughes and Kodi Nikorima.
Kiwis assistant coach Slade Griffin said “it's a good thing” to have many leaders among the playing group which has made the team’s preparation player-led.
“It's been very player driven this week and that's what happens when you got a wealth of experience,” Griffin told Sport Nation.
Joseph Tapine | Photo: Robbie Stephenson/AAP
He explained that to avoid confrontation, the senior leaders had been given clear areas of responsibility so they could guide their teammates without repeating the same messages and stepping on each others toes.
“We got a few captains in the team, Joey, Kalyn, and then some senior leaders, so I guess it's just about in our senior leadership groups, them all owning a space and then knowing what they're going to talk about so they're not just doubling down on the same point.
“So we've tried giving them direction there and areas to own,” Griffin explained.
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He said the players have also shown initiative that has taken the pressure off the coaching staff.
“We're very fortunate the boys have done their own video, after training, they'll get in their own unit groups and they all run it a lot and we'll just kind of sit there and help.
“At the end of the day, they're all very experienced and they're passing their knowledge on situationally and scenarios that will help us as well.”
Listen to the full interview below:
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