Joe_s_Tigers
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David Kidwell was an intimidating mentor when Adam Blair made his debut for the Kiwis in 2006 and the polarising former test vice-captain is hoping a similar hard-edged approach from Wests Tigers' new assistant coach will help revive his international career.
Blair, a key member of the 2008 World Cup-winning squad, cringed as he watched the Kiwis' reign end in ignominious circumstances at Old Trafford, though it did inspire him to try to add to his 24 test caps after being overlooked in 2013.
The 27-year-old second rower-cum-prop played his most recent test in the trans-Tasman clash at Townsville in October last year, though only because Jeremy Smith was unavailable due to injury.
Blair's slip down coach Stephen Kearney's pecking order for the pack coincided with his lucrative move from the Melbourne Storm to the Wests Tiger - a switch that has not yet paid dividends for the struggling Sydney club.
Despite playing 47 of a possible 48 games since leaving the Storm as one of the code's most damaging forwards Blair has been ridiculed as the Wests Tigers' worst-ever signing, a label the Northlander is anxious to shed during the penultimate season of his four-year deal.
"Hopefully it's third time lucky," said Blair, who hoped Kidwell's arrival as an assistant would contribute to a form resurgence to silence the detractors.
"I played my first year of Kiwis with him in '06\. He was someone that you didn't want to let down because you knew he was giving his all.
"With Kiddy there's no backward step. It's his way or the highway. He's been really dominant round the field there, pushing for what he wants. He's pushing a lot of the defensive stuff."
The admiration was mutual, with Kidwell confident Blair could replicate the form that made him a fixture in one of the competition's leading forward units.
"I played with Adam and coached him as well, I know his standards, I've seen him at the top of his game. I'm pushing him to try and get back to those standards and I think he's going to be in for a big year."
There is one point of difference between the pair though - Blair is open to a return to the edge, but Kidwell prefers to see him command the middle of the park.
"He's got that engine to be in the middle there. I think he plays his best footy in the middle, but at a pinch he could go into the second row. I think he's more damaging in the middle."
Ad Feedback Kidwell, who played 25 tests between 1999-2006, reckoned Blair could play himself back into contention for the Anzac test next April.
"Yeah, 100 per cent. I'd like to think all the Kiwis that are available that didn't make the World Cup squad will all be pushing for a spot next year."
Blair was certainly keen to get back in black after persevering with the World Cup final from Manchester, long after it was apparent the Kangaroos were coasting to a 34-2 victory.
"When they were down and they only had two points obviously a lot of people would have gone back to sleep. That crossed my mind, but I stayed up and watched all the way to the end because I'm a proud Kiwi," he said.
"Watching that motivates me [to represent the Kiwis again].
Hopefully Blair can get back to his best.
Blair, a key member of the 2008 World Cup-winning squad, cringed as he watched the Kiwis' reign end in ignominious circumstances at Old Trafford, though it did inspire him to try to add to his 24 test caps after being overlooked in 2013.
The 27-year-old second rower-cum-prop played his most recent test in the trans-Tasman clash at Townsville in October last year, though only because Jeremy Smith was unavailable due to injury.
Blair's slip down coach Stephen Kearney's pecking order for the pack coincided with his lucrative move from the Melbourne Storm to the Wests Tiger - a switch that has not yet paid dividends for the struggling Sydney club.
Despite playing 47 of a possible 48 games since leaving the Storm as one of the code's most damaging forwards Blair has been ridiculed as the Wests Tigers' worst-ever signing, a label the Northlander is anxious to shed during the penultimate season of his four-year deal.
"Hopefully it's third time lucky," said Blair, who hoped Kidwell's arrival as an assistant would contribute to a form resurgence to silence the detractors.
"I played my first year of Kiwis with him in '06\. He was someone that you didn't want to let down because you knew he was giving his all.
"With Kiddy there's no backward step. It's his way or the highway. He's been really dominant round the field there, pushing for what he wants. He's pushing a lot of the defensive stuff."
The admiration was mutual, with Kidwell confident Blair could replicate the form that made him a fixture in one of the competition's leading forward units.
"I played with Adam and coached him as well, I know his standards, I've seen him at the top of his game. I'm pushing him to try and get back to those standards and I think he's going to be in for a big year."
There is one point of difference between the pair though - Blair is open to a return to the edge, but Kidwell prefers to see him command the middle of the park.
"He's got that engine to be in the middle there. I think he plays his best footy in the middle, but at a pinch he could go into the second row. I think he's more damaging in the middle."
Ad Feedback Kidwell, who played 25 tests between 1999-2006, reckoned Blair could play himself back into contention for the Anzac test next April.
"Yeah, 100 per cent. I'd like to think all the Kiwis that are available that didn't make the World Cup squad will all be pushing for a spot next year."
Blair was certainly keen to get back in black after persevering with the World Cup final from Manchester, long after it was apparent the Kangaroos were coasting to a 34-2 victory.
"When they were down and they only had two points obviously a lot of people would have gone back to sleep. That crossed my mind, but I stayed up and watched all the way to the end because I'm a proud Kiwi," he said.
"Watching that motivates me [to represent the Kiwis again].
Hopefully Blair can get back to his best.
