New Zealand Rugby League has been a punching bag for critics over the past six months but the Kiwis are aiming to prove them wrong at the Rugby League World Cup starting here this weekend.
Kiwis coach David Kidwell Photo: Photosport / NRL Photos 2017
The world number two side haven't won an international fixture in almost a year to the day and have had been marred by controversies in the lead up to the tournament.
In the last six months alone, the team had the well-documented ANZAC Test drug scandal involving former Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich as well as the defection of superstar Jason Taumalolo and three others to Tonga that hit them right on the eve of the World Cup.
The incidents have not only tested new Kiwis coach David Kidwell, it's also raised questions about his suitability in the role.
However he said he's putting it all behind him.
"I don't think I'd be the person that I am today or a stronger coach if I hadn't gone through that adversity. I'm just really pleased with the space that we (the team) are in at the moment."
Shaun Johnson will be a key member of the Kiwis World Cup campaign. Photo: Photosport
Kidwell's solution to his recent conundrums has been to re-invent the Kiwis wheel. He's decided to draw inspiration from New Zealand's traditional style of league which involves throwing the ball around and taking any opportunity they can get - a high risk but high reward game plan which has got the backing of former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott.
"If you play Australia in a conservative type game then you're never going to win it so you've got to do something outside the box.
"From what I hear, David Kidwell's told the players they've got a free hand to play their natural game and if they take that to the letter of the law then I think it's going to be exciting and possible world cup for the Kiwis," Endacott said.
The Kiwis won't even face defending champions Australia if they don't win their three pool matches over Samoa, Tonga and Scotland as well as make it through the quarter and semi finals.
Last year in the Four Nations, New Zealand drew against Scotland and Samoa were two points shy of beating the Kiwis in 2014.
Even bookmakers don't give New Zealand much chance of winning the title given what's happened in the past 12 months.
That doesn't matter though to Kiwis winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
"Growing up you have a lot of doubters and people that think you wouldn't make it in the NRL so for me that's something that I love because I can prove people wrong," Watene-Zelezniak said.
"I love being cheeky to people so if I'm able to make it and we're able to do something special here to prove the doubters wrong, that'd be awesome."
-RNZ
