New Kiwis defence guru Ben Gardiner has vowed to make his side's try-line defence the steeliest of this year's Rugby League World Cup.
Gardiner, the North Sydney Bears coach and South Sydney Rabbitohs assistant, was appointed as David Kidwell's right-hand man on Thursday after incumbent Kiwis No.2 Garth Brennan took up the Gold Coast Titans job.
A close friend of head coach Kidwell, Gardiner will focus on the Kiwis' defence as they look to win their first World Cup since 2008.
He arrived at the team's current base in Ngaruawahia late on Wednesday night, barely 24 hours after getting the call from Kidwell.
The team will remain in the Waikato township's marae until Friday, at which point they'll head to Auckland to prepare for their Cup opener against Samoa.
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Gardiner said he'd do all he could to fortify the Kiwis' defence, which leaked 30 points in this year's Anzac Day Test loss in Canberra.
"It's my strength and the area I'm most confident with - I'm very comfortable with that, looking forward to getting some steel in our defence, all over the field but particularly on our goal-line," Gardiner said.
"I'm busting and energetic about getting in and amongst the team."
Gardiner, an Australian who lives near Kidwell in Sydney, gave up an off-season casual teaching job to join the Kiwis - much to his delight.
He'll join Brian Smith in Kidwell's coaching set-up.
Gardiner hoped to develop his coaching skills while with the Kiwis.
"I was pretty much on board with what was happening before I even arrived, just through our conversations and discussions - we'd like to think we have that close relationship where we can talk about those things," Gardiner said.
"At the end of the day, it's an opportunity for me with my coaching as well, an opportunity for me to share my knowledge with players."
