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Kimmorley fires back
By Dean Ritchie
October 31, 2003
AMID London's cold and wet yesterday, Australian halfback Brett Kimmorley rained down on his savage critics and then took time to defend his controversial relationship with coach Chris Anderson.
Kimmorley has been set upon, some claim unfairly, in recent weeks by the rugby league fraternity, with NSW coach Phil Gould even going public to declare the Cronulla halfback should immediately alter his flat style of attack.
But Kimmorley has hit back, tired of the criticism, as has Anderson.
Kimmorley was among Australia's best in their modest 26-22 win over England A on Tuesday night and is almost certain to win selection at halfback for the first Test against Great Britain tomorrow week.
While his teammates went sightseeing in London yesterday, Kimmorley spoke about the criticism he had endured since Australia's Test match loss to New Zealand a fortnight ago.
"I'm used to it by now but it can still be disappointing," Kimmorley said.
"It just seems to follow me wherever I go but I have to cop it.
"It's a matter of being happy when I walk off the field.
"If I'm happy and the coach is happy, that's all that matters.
"It has to be someone [who gets criticised]. And with Cronulla in turmoil those people have been given plenty of ammunition.
"As I said they seem to have to pick on someone and it's me.
"When it starts, the criticism seems to gather momentum. But I've been around long enough now not be worried about what's being written or said."
Anderson is Kimmorley's most ardent and loyal supporter - presenting more fodder for the critics.
"Chris and I have been through a fair bit together," Kimmorley said.
"But Chris is certainly one of the main reasons my footy is where it's at. Going to Melbourne was the best decision I ever made.
"He took me down there.
"And Chris saved my career by getting me to Cronulla. My career was struggling after the Northern Eagles joint venture collapsed.
"I didn't feel much like playing after that happened."
Anderson, too, fired back at those firing bullets at his team - and Kimmorley - from the safety of Australia.
"There are people out there with agendas but I don't want to lower myself by commenting," Anderson said.
The Kangaroos have experienced a moderate start to their tour with Kimmorley yesterday offering reasons why his side could only manage a four-point win over England A.
"It was tough - a few errors crept into our game at crucial times," he said. "But we are building up and moving forward - we're getting better.
"Some of us haven't played in a while so it will take a bit of time.
"Hopefully we can improve more against Wales [on Sunday morning] and play for the entire 80 minutes.
"At times I thought we played really well. We just have to get rid of those bad five-minute periods and become tighter.
"We want to be in the best form going into the first Test match."
By Dean Ritchie
October 31, 2003
AMID London's cold and wet yesterday, Australian halfback Brett Kimmorley rained down on his savage critics and then took time to defend his controversial relationship with coach Chris Anderson.
Kimmorley has been set upon, some claim unfairly, in recent weeks by the rugby league fraternity, with NSW coach Phil Gould even going public to declare the Cronulla halfback should immediately alter his flat style of attack.
But Kimmorley has hit back, tired of the criticism, as has Anderson.
Kimmorley was among Australia's best in their modest 26-22 win over England A on Tuesday night and is almost certain to win selection at halfback for the first Test against Great Britain tomorrow week.
While his teammates went sightseeing in London yesterday, Kimmorley spoke about the criticism he had endured since Australia's Test match loss to New Zealand a fortnight ago.
"I'm used to it by now but it can still be disappointing," Kimmorley said.
"It just seems to follow me wherever I go but I have to cop it.
"It's a matter of being happy when I walk off the field.
"If I'm happy and the coach is happy, that's all that matters.
"It has to be someone [who gets criticised]. And with Cronulla in turmoil those people have been given plenty of ammunition.
"As I said they seem to have to pick on someone and it's me.
"When it starts, the criticism seems to gather momentum. But I've been around long enough now not be worried about what's being written or said."
Anderson is Kimmorley's most ardent and loyal supporter - presenting more fodder for the critics.
"Chris and I have been through a fair bit together," Kimmorley said.
"But Chris is certainly one of the main reasons my footy is where it's at. Going to Melbourne was the best decision I ever made.
"He took me down there.
"And Chris saved my career by getting me to Cronulla. My career was struggling after the Northern Eagles joint venture collapsed.
"I didn't feel much like playing after that happened."
Anderson, too, fired back at those firing bullets at his team - and Kimmorley - from the safety of Australia.
"There are people out there with agendas but I don't want to lower myself by commenting," Anderson said.
The Kangaroos have experienced a moderate start to their tour with Kimmorley yesterday offering reasons why his side could only manage a four-point win over England A.
"It was tough - a few errors crept into our game at crucial times," he said. "But we are building up and moving forward - we're getting better.
"Some of us haven't played in a while so it will take a bit of time.
"Hopefully we can improve more against Wales [on Sunday morning] and play for the entire 80 minutes.
"At times I thought we played really well. We just have to get rid of those bad five-minute periods and become tighter.
"We want to be in the best form going into the first Test match."
