David Kidwell
Personal information
Nickname	Kid
Born	23 April 1977 (1977-04-23) (age 32)
	Christchurch, New Zealand
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.89 m)
Weight	17 st 0 lb (108 kg)
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Centre
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1997–98	Adelaide Rams	16	2	0	0	8
1999–00	Parramatta Eels	33	8	0	0	32
2001–02	Warrington Wolves	26	9	0	0	36
2002	Sydney Roosters	19	3	0	0	12
2003–06	Melbourne Storm	103	18	0	0	72
2007–09	South Sydney Rabbitohs	39	3	0	0	12
	Total	236	43	0	0	172
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1999–09	New Zealand	25	4	0	0	16
2000	New Zealand Māori	3	1	0	0	4
As of 6 August 2009
Source: Rugby League Project and Yesterday's Hero

David Kidwell (born 23 April 1977 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is a professional rugby league footballer and coach who played in the National Rugby League competition. Kidwell was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team which defeated Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final.

[edit] Playing career

In 2006 Kidwell signed a pre-contract agreement to represent the South Sydney Rabbitohs until 2009. Kidwell has previously played for the Melbourne Storm,Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and the Adelaide Rams.

He primarily played in the second row though he had also previously played as a centre.

In the 2007 pre-season, it was announced that Kidwell would be co-captain of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, along with Peter Cusack for 2007.

In August 2008, Kidwell was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,^[1] and in October 2008, he was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad.^[2]

[edit] Controversy

When playing against Australia in the Tri Nations tournament on 14 October 2006, Kidwell shoulder-charged (a legal tackle in rugby league) Australian prop Willie Mason, temporarily downing the giant Bulldog forward and bruising his eye socket.

Press speculation was that the tackle was in direct retribution for Mason's behaviour during the New Zealand team performance of the Haka at the beginning of the match. Kidwell denied this claim and suggested that he did not see nor hear Mason's verbal abuse during the performance of the Haka.^{[citation needed]}

Kidwell injured himself after suffering suspected torn knee ligaments. Early in the 2007 NRL season the Kiwi second row fell awkwardly as he tried to avoid crushing his daughter during a game at an Easter barbecue. He was expected to be out the whole season.^[when?] It was later announced on 16 August 2007, that he would be back at the end of the season to try and push Souths into the Top 8.

After failing an alcohol test on the 2nd of May 2008, the Rabbitohs stripped Kidwell of his captaincy and four others who failed were relegated to the bench for their Sunday match against the Cowboys.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Career highlights

• Junior Club: Hornby Panthers (Christchurch)
• First Grade Debut: Round 17, Adelaide v Canberra at Canberra Stadium, August 17, 1997

[edit] Coaching career

Kidwell was appointed the Rabbitohs Toyota Cup coach for 2010.^[3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• David Kidwell Official Player Profile
• David Kidwell Warrington Profile
• Freak injury ends Kidwell season
• David Kidwell Souths Profile