Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich is backing David Kidwell to have a successful year in his first full campaign as coach of the national side.
Kidwell had a tough start as head coach of the Kiwis after replacing Stephen Kearney, weeks out from last year's Four Nations in England.
But the 40-year old is more prepared ahead of next weeks’ ANZAC Test in Canberra after having time to develop a plan building towards the Rugby League World Cup.
Bromwich told Te Arahi Maipi and Sam Ackerman on Trackside radio he is excited to see what Kidwell can do with some time under his belt.
"Kiddy [Kidwell] was thrown in there early and I thought he did a good job, bar the results," said Bromwich.
"He had a tough job last year. I had a meeting with him in the last couple of weeks and everything is looking good.
"I think he will be more relaxed now and certain in the way he delivers his messages.
"He knows what he wants and has had a while to figure out his game plan and sort out the staff he wants."
Bromwich is also in full support of Storm teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona to make the Kiwis squad after a number of standout performances of late, including a star turn in their win over the Warriors on ANZAC day.
If the towering Kiwi does not make the squad for next Friday’s Test, Bromwich is certain he will be in the World Cup squad.
"Nelson played really good against the Warriors.
"He has worked very hard on his weight and the coaching staff have worked on his fitness.
"He is somebody who will definitely play in the Kiwis one day and I’d like to see him there at the end of the year.
"We have lots of boys in the running and if he keeps playing well, no doubt he will be in their sooner rather than later."
The Kiwis were missing a number of first choice players at last year’s Four Nations including Warriors duo Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Simon Mannering.
With players like Tuivasa-Sheck and Mannering expected to be fully fit for the Kiwis, Bromwich thinks their experience will be valuable to the squad.
"We have a good leadership ground and hopefully lots of those boys don’t get injured.
"In the past we have lots of our leaders missing games and if we can get those boys playing we can take another step forward
"To get these leaders back could only be good for our team and having that strong core leading the boys around will only be good for the team."
The New Zealand squad for the ANZAC Test will be named at the end of round nine.
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