 Asotasi saw his team lose five matches in a row last year |
New Zealand captain Roy Asotasi has been reprimanded for criticising coach Gary Kemble following heavy defeats by Australia and Great Britain last year. Asotasi said he had no confidence in Kemble after a record 58-0 loss to the Aussies and the 3-0 GB series reverse.
Asotasi wanted ex-Australia coach Wayne Bennett to join the backroom staff.
"Roy has made comments which are unacceptable for any Kiwi player to make about a New Zealand coach," said NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden.
"By doing this, Roy has shown no respect for the New Zealand coach's position. He has also shown little regard for the game's heritage and those Kiwi captains and players who have gone before him.
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"We couldn't have the Kiwi captain making public comments of this type about the Kiwi coach."
Asotasi, whose five-match losing run as skipper ended with a 22-14 win over France in November, is in danger of losing the captaincy.
But his call for Brisbane Broncos boss Bennett to be brought in for October's World Cup could be heeded by the NZRL.
Haffenden admitted he was keen to appoint Bennett, who impressed the Kiwis when he took charge of the All Golds for their centenary clash with the Northern Union at Warrington in October, in a supporting role.
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