New Zealand Rugby League Director of Football Graham Lowe has admitted embattled Kiwis coach Gary Kemble is "out of his depth" but is still backing him to turn things around.
The admission comes after Great Britain annihilated the Kiwi team 44-0 on Sunday.
When asked whether he thought Kemble was struggling, Lowe agreed.
"I think he looks out of his depth as well to me at the moment but all coaches know you either sink or swim, you all get out of your depth at some stage but that's inexperience that's all that that is."
His comments have staggered many in the sport.
"I've got to say if Lowie thinks Gary Kemble's out of his depth you've got to ask the question what he is doing there in the first place," said former Kiwi Dean Lonergan.
"I think maybe Gary needs someone beside him someone off the selection panel like a Frank Endacott, a Howie Tamati who's been through this before to steady the ship because those comments from Graham Lowe at the moment, you'd have to say that Gary doesn't have the full confidence of his boss."
Following the resignation of Brian McClennan in July, Kemble was appointed by a three-man selection panel of former Kiwis coaches Howie Tamati, Frank Endacott and headed by Lowe.
"I take all the blame for bringing Gary in because I believe in Gary and if people are looking for blood well I'm here," said Lowe.
Yet Lowe is still backing Kemble.
"I had confidence in him, I still have confidence he can turn something around."
