Your team v Eng (Semi)

[ozbash]

Brisbane, Australia, November 12, 2008 – Two other New Zealand rugby league sides are on course for appearances in World Cup finals in Australia.
While the Pirtek Kiwis take on England on Saturday night for a place in the Rugby League World Cup decider, the Kiwi Ferns are also in line for success in the Women’s World Rugby League Cup as is the national team in the first World Cup of Police Rugby League.
The latter two tournaments, which started this week, are part of the Rugby League International Federation’s Festival of World Cups.
The Women’s World Cup involves New Zealand, Pacific Islands, England, Russia, Tonga, Samoa, France and Australia with matches based at Stockland Park, Kawana, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
And tonight (Wednesday), the Kiwi Ferns tackle England for the right to meet the winner of the Australia-Pacific Islands semi-final in Saturday night’s grand final. That will be a curtain-raiser to the Pirtek Kiwis-England Rugby League World Cup semi-final at Suncorp Stadium.
The Kiwi Ferns, guided by 2007 New Zealand women’s player of the year Rona Peters, have reached the last four by dominating their pool. They started with a 72-0 trouncing of the Pacific Islands and then accounted for Tonga 42-4 and Samoa 26-4.
New Zealand has already clinched a spot in the police tournament’s grand final. It means the Kiwi police will also play at Suncorp Stadium ahead of the main event on Saturday night, with its World Cup final another a curtain-raiser.
The Kiwi police side, guided by former New Zealand coach Frank Endacott, has also been travelling well.
A hard-fought victory over Fiji (14-4) was followed by wins against Papua New Guinea (20-0) and England (40-0). Tonight (Wednesday), the New Zealanders play Australia in their final pool game.
Among the New Zealand squad are former Warriors Tony Tatupu and Boycie Nelson.

nzrl media

 

[Micistm]

Uh-oh...when the Police are having their final and the stadium is packed out...will there be a crime spree?!

 

[ozbash]

Brisbane, Australia, November 13, 2008 – Coach Stephen Kearney is in no hurry to name the Pirtek Kiwis’ line-up for the Rugby League World Cup semi-final against England at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
After having their first training run of the week at Langlands Park – home of Brisbane’s Easts club – on Monday, the New Zealanders held their second session on Wednesday at the old ANZ Stadium, home for the Brisbane Broncos for many years until their shift to Suncorp Stadium.
Coming off their 36-24 comeback win over England in Newcastle, the Pirtek Kiwis are seeking a second straight win against the Tony Smith-coached side to take them into a World Cup final for the third time.
Kearney told said there was no need to confirm New Zealand’s line-up yet.
"We’ll name it when we’re ready," he said
"It’s got nothing to do with England. It’s more how we are thinking and what we think is going to work for us on Saturday night."
Last Saturday night the Pirtek Kiwis rested some players, notably captain Nathan Cayless, right winger Sam Perrett and interchange prop Sam Rapira. Centre Krisnan Inu, second rower Setaimata Sa and utility Dene Halatau also sat the game out while second rower Sika Manu (eye injury) wasn’t considered. Manu is back in contention for selection this week but Matai (neck) has been ruled out.
Winger Manu Vatuvei goes into his 15th test seeking to continue an impressive try-scoring run this year.
With his World Cup record-equalling four tries against England last weekend, the 22-year-old has scored 22 tries in 21 top-level matches this year – 16 in 17 NRL games for the Vodafone Warriors, four in three tests for the Pirtek Kiwis and two for the All Golds against New Zealand Maori.

nzrl media

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Side named, and i am still pissed off about it

Hohaia
Perrett
Mannering
Ropati
Vatuvei
Marshall
Fien
Cayless
Leuluai
Blair
Manu
Fa'alogo
Smith

Luke
Eastwood
Rapira
Harrison

Would love to know what planet Kearney and Bennett are on constantly benching Luke.

 

[Martli]

Mannering in the centres = ugh.

 

[ozbash]

strange alright.

Tuimavave deserves a shot, inu to 3 and mannering 2nd row with sika manu on the bench..

dunno whats the go with thomas at hooker, guess him and fien will switch.

 

[Micistm]

It'll either come off or the knives will be out for Kearney...still no Luke starting. His choice of course...but WTF?!!!! Just do not understand the method behind the madness. Thomas-you can't blame the guy, it's not his fault he keeps getting selected...but you gotta think he's got porno pics of Kearney or something

 

[Jesbass]

strange alright.

Tuimavave deserves a shot, inu to 3 and mannering 2nd row with sika manu on the bench..

dunno whats the go with thomas at hooker, guess him and fien will switch.

Thomas Leuluai has played hooker for the Kiwis for the last 120 minutes or so. The only difference this week is that he'll be doing it in the nuber 9 jersey.

 

[ozbash]

Thomas Leuluai has played hooker for the Kiwis for the last 120 minutes or so. The only difference this week is that he'll be doing it in the nuber 9 jersey.

I always thought it was the coaches way of getting him away from the action. Hooker is probably the most pivotal role on the paddock and it seems to suit his style of play.

I really dont know, i like luke on the bench, i like fein at starting hooker. they seem to be covering the halfback slot which sugests to me that the game is going to be played up the guts.

 

[AliN]

Not too impressed with the side but the powers that be must have their reasons.

 

[Skram]

I always thought it was the coaches way of getting him away from the action. Hooker is probably the most pivotal role on the paddock and it seems to suit his style of play.

I really dont know, i like luke on the bench, i like fein at starting hooker. they seem to be covering the halfback slot which sugests to me that the game is going to be played up the guts.

o

I think the current lineup is pretty decent. I'm not a fan of Mannering in the centres but he is an absolute must have in the 13 and we have good enough backrow options so at the very least he'll stiffen up the right side defence.

 

[Micistm]

It's not bad, just an issue with the one or two position where there's obviously better players in those positions.
BUT-When it comes to the crunch, that's the team, and I cheer the Kiwis on regardless. Luke will still have a big part to play in the game off the bench, and if Thomas has a blinder and proves all us critics wrong I'll be utterly stoked

 

[AliN]

Ditto!