The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) Board met over the weekend in Singapore to consider a wide range of items reflecting its leadership of rugby league globally.
Heading the agenda was progressing finalisation of a long range calendar of international matches and tournaments that would allow fans and the many other stakeholders of international rugby league to anticipate and plan their future.
The Board received submissions on the calendar from the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL), the Rugby Football League (RFL), the Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC) and the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF), together with proposals from the RLIF executives.
Aside from locking down matches for the top ranking nations over the long term, the Board also ensured that the international calendar offered a platform for the challenger nations to compete against their more mature counterparts while at the same time paying regard to commercial considerations, player welfare and workload, and global balance.
The calendar centres on a suite of global events in four-year cycles, including Rugby League World Cups, 9s World Cups, European and Asia Pacific Confederation tournaments, Lions, Kangaroos and Kiwi Tours, and opportunities for developing nations.
The Board agreed to undertake consultation with stakeholders to finalise the details for the next two cycles to present to its planned World Rugby League Congress in the UK in November. Key elements of the calendar include:
The Board also agreed that World Cup qualifying competitions will expand organically and begin earlier due to the increase in aspiration from the growing membership.
‘There’s clearly still some detail to be finalised, but this is a fantastic announcement that has been a long time coming. It should give great heart and confidence to our international community,’ RLIF Chairman John Grant said.
‘It reflects the broad diversity that exists across our RLIF Member nations and we believe it can provide the certainty our fans, players and commercial stakeholders need to make long term commitments to international rugby league,’ he added.
The Board also dealt with the ongoing work of governance reform and agreed a range of Constitutional changes to be taken forward by the Governance Working Group to be put to Members for a consultation period in September and finally for adoption by Members in General Meeting in the UK in November. The Board indicated the final composition of the board would adopt best practice in independence and diversity and would include an appropriate mix of skills and expertise.
‘The Board had a very robust debate as it should on governance reform. The recommendations from the Working Group hit at the heart of how the Federation needs to govern a global sport in today’s fast changing environment,’ Mr Grant said.
‘The endorsement provided by the Board to the Working Group foreshadows a future that balances the obvious strength and contribution of the major nations and their associated professional leagues with the opportunity to grow the sport in the 65 nations in which it is played across the globe,’ he added.
The Board endorsed a proposal from RLIF CEO Nigel Wood to commence stakeholder engagement to review the process and criteria it applies to sanctioning international matches. This follows a commitment made by RLIF Chairman John Grant in June prior to the Denver Test between New Zealand and England. The review will be led by CEO Nigel Wood and will seek input from a broad range of stakeholders including National Federations, major leagues, professional and semi-professional clubs, players and their association representatives and industry experts. Its scope will include such as the strategic fit of matches within the international calendar, minimum standards, player welfare while on international duty, and insurance, and it will be informed by player data that was accumulated in and around the Denver Test.
‘This is a very significant piece of work that will provide consistency and benchmarks to which our nations must aspire to ensure international rugby league performs at the levels our players, clubs and fans expect,’ Nigel Wood said.
‘The Denver Test exposed all of us alike to this performance standard and has been a positive catalyst for this review,’ he added.
The Board also accepted the resignation of RFL Chairman Mr Brian Barwick. The Board thanked him for his four and a half years of service acknowledging an ongoing relationship with him in his new role as Chairman of Rugby League World Cup 2021.
By stuff.co.nz – Jackson Thomas
Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith took time after his side’s 12-6 win over the Warriors to honour one of his greatest adversaries, Simon Mannering.
The former club captain announced last week that he would be hanging up the boots at season’s end, after 14 years in the NRL.
Following Sunday’s match at Mt Smart, Smith paid tribute to a man he said had been a great addition not only to the Warriors, but to the game of rugby league.
“I think Simon has been one of the most consistent players, not just for the Warriors but in the NRL, throughout my career,” he said.
“You know what you you’re going to get from Simon as an opposition player. We have had some great battles over the years but I think aside from his abilities as a football player he is just a lovely man.
“I spoke with Ryan Hoffman (former Warriors captain) about his time over here and he said Simon was the nicest bloke you’d ever meet, very down to earth.
“It’s been great to share some part of his career and he’s been a great addition to rugby league.”
In keeping with the theme of the past few weeks, where the Warriors called departing players Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday into their post match huddle, the home side took a moment to thank Hoffman for his services to the club and the game as he too nears retirement at the end of this season.
Hoffman was also presented with a plaque on behalf of the club.
“They had a little presentation to Ryan out there on the field, that’s really nice,” Smith said.
“I know his time here was very special to him and his family. It’s nice to see that side of the game. Everyone enjoys the 80 minutes of action where it can be quite brutal at times but the camaraderie there is great to see.”
Now seventh on the competition ladder, the Warriors will travel away to face the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.
By stuff.co.nz – Murray Wenzel
He insists he’s never short on confidence but Brisbane halfback Kodi Nikorima said the endorsement of New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has finally helped him feel at home in the Broncos No.7.
The nifty playmaker won best on ground honours for his role in Brisbane’s 50-18 flogging of Penrith on Friday night.
He combined well with halves partner Anthony Milford – often on the same side of the field – and iced the match with identical intercept tries in the second half.
There has generally been a state of flux around Nikorima’s role in the side, with the 24-year-old seemingly always trying to prove himself worthy.
But the Kiwi international insists he finally feels at home in the halves.
“Yeah, yep I do, I feel like I’m starting to come into my own now,” he said.
“To be honest, going in with the Kiwis, Madge (Maguire) helped me out a lot leadership-wise, put it all on me.
“I came out of my shell there and started to bring what I learned from him on that little tour (of the United States last month) back to the Broncs.
“He (Maguire) just said I’ve got the qualities of (Cooper) Cronk – he’s worked with those players, so to have someone of his calibre, to have that confidence in me really helped me out.”
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett was satisfied with his halves’ efforts and maintained post-game it was the media, not him, who were often the most critical.
“Wayne believes in me too, but having that from another coach gave me that extra confidence,” Nikorima said.
“I’ve never doubted myself but now I’m starting to talk more.
“I was a bit quiet coming into the season, didn’t take it with two hands and that showed when I got benched.”
Nikorima was helped by his forwards’ barnstorming start, with Sam Thaiday and Tevita Pangai Jnr setting the platform.
“But for me and Milf it’s about learning to control a game when we’re not dominating,” Nikorima said.
“That’s where we probably lack a little bit.”
Former Kiwis captain and record-holding Vodafone Warriors stalwart Simon Mannering has today announced the 2018 NRL campaign will mark the end of his 14-season career with the club.
The 31-year-old’s decision follows his announcement five weeks ago that he had retired from international football after 45 Tests for the Kiwis from 2006-2017.
Nelson-raised Mannering said he had wrestled with his decision for several weeks.
“It has taken a while to reach this point but I’m now comfortable with the decision I’ve finally made,” he said.
“I’m really grateful to the Vodafone Warriors for giving me the time I needed. It’s a big call when you consider retirement, even more so having played my whole career for this great club.
“It’s not over yet, though. There are still a lot of games to be played and I want to do all I can to help the team and the coaching staff in our bid to finish this season as well as we possibly can.”
Mannering was 18 when he made his Vodafone Warriors debut off the bench in the 30-18 10th anniversary clash against Brisbane at Mount Smart Stadium on June 26, 2005.
On Sunday he’ll make his 294th appearance when the club marks its Michael Moore Trophy match against Melbourne with “The Greatest Vodafone Warriors Charity Day”. It leaves him on track to become the first player to make 300 appearances for the club and only the second New Zealander to join the 300-club after former Canberra and Vodafone Warriors great Ruben Wiki.
Vodafone Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney said Mannering’s decision marked a sad day for the club.
“I’d love Simon to play on forever but sadly the time comes when players have to make the call to finish,” he said.
“I know how difficult this would have been for him. He loves playing footy and he loves this club so it’s a really significant day for him and for all of us.
“Being the type of person he is Simon doesn’t want any fuss made about it. That’s not his style but he deserves all the accolades and attention he’ll receive.”
Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George paid tribute to Mannering for his contribution to the club.
“It’s difficult to put into words just how much Simon has done for the Vodafone Warriors on and off the field and what he means to us and to members and fans alike,” he said.
“Above all he’s a champion player and a champion person who epitomises what a Vodafone Warrior is all about.
“It’s a tough day for all of us knowing this will be Simon’s last season, more so because of the loyalty he has shown by being one of that select group of players who have been with just one club their whole career.
“This Sunday gives everyone a great opportunity to be at Mount Smart Stadium to show their appreciation for Simon.”
While Mannering is not a man for stats, the numbers emphasise the magnitude of his efforts across 14 seasons. He has been on the field almost 22,000 minutes – or close to 370 hours – while carrying the ball more than 27,000 metres (an average of 95 metres a game) and making more than 9300 tackles (an average of about 32 tackles a game).
Former Kiwis captain and North Sydney Bears stalwart Mark Graham is set to be the first New Zealander inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
Graham, 62, was named as an inductee on Tuesday night, alongside five others, including stars from rugby league’s golden 1990s era – Manly’s Cliff Lyons and Steve Menzies, Canberra’s Ricky Stuart and Brisbane’s Gorden Tallis – and Broncos and Panthers veteran Petero Civoniceva.
The half-dozen were recognised for their playing achievements and will join the 100 inaugural members from 2008.
The six will be formally inducted at a ceremony at the Sydney Cricket Ground on August 1, which will also announce up to two new Immortals. They were selected by a panel of 25 judges.
Graham was a North Sydney stalwart and New Zealand Test captain in the 1980s.
He played 145 matches for the Bears from 1981 to 1988, scoring 29 tries, and represented the Kiwis 28 times between 1977-1988, scoring seven tries. He signed with Wakefield Trinity after the 1988 NSWRL season, playing 14 games in the Northern Hemisphere before retiring.
Graham also coached the Warriors in the NRL for two seasons, posting an 18-2-30 record.
The NRL honour adds to a long list of accolades for Graham.
In 1995, Graham was one of the initial inductees of the NZRL Legends of League. The following year, he was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
In August 2006, Graham was named in the second row in the North Sydney Bears’ Team of the Century. In 2007, he was named in the second row in the New Zealand Kiwis Team of the Century and also further honoured as New Zealand Rugby League’s Player of the Century. He is an Auckland Rugby League Immortal and in 2008, Graham was also named in the second row in an all-time greatest team for Brisbane club side Norths.
Longevity, individual achievements and representative appearances were all considered in the make-up of the players to be added.
Between the other five inductees there was a total of 1393 premiership matches, 123 Tests and 90 State of Origins played – as well as 12 premierships won.
Front rower Civoniceva was known for his uncompromising approach on the field but for being a gentleman off it and logged 309 NRL games between Brisbane and Penrith as well as 33 Origins for Queensland.
Former Manly teammates Lyons (332) and Menzies (349) were at the core of a strong Sea Eagles team in the 1990s; the former a deft playmaker, the latter a seemingly unbreakable utility who became the highest try-scoring forward in the game.
Stuart was a scheming halfback who spent much of his career with Canberra and played 14 State of Origins for NSW and nine tests for Australia before embarking on a coaching career.
Tallis was perhaps the most dominant forward in the competition during the mid to late 1990s with the Brisbane Broncos and went on to shine for both the Maroons and Australia.
Following the completion of the mid-season internationals and commencement of European qualifying for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, the latest edition of the RLIF world rankings has been announced.
Tonga, after their 38-22 victory over Samoa in the Polynesian Cup have consolidated fourth position – gained after their run to the semi final of the 2017 RLWC – and closed the gap on the three nations above them, leaving their head coach Kristian Woolf calling for more matches against the higher-ranked.
“It is affirmation that all the steps taken towards showing the promise of the game for our country and team are being formally recognised,” he said. “Our next steps are to secure more fixtures against the top three countries.
“We have proved over the last two years that we can compete with them, and we believe we have earned the right to more opportunities. That is the goal of the Mate Ma’a Tonga Rugby League now – to secure consistent Test matches against the world powers of rugby league.”
England’s win over New Zealand in Denver sets up the three match autumn series between the nations for the Baskerville Shield as a battle for second place, and Ukraine’s win over Malta in European Championship C – South has seen them rise a place as they aim for the next stage of World Cup play offs to be held in 2019.
RLIF CEO Nigel Wood commented: “The twice-yearly world rankings not only reflect achievement but also the increased level of rugby league being played across the globe. It is another impetus behind planning more international fixtures and tournaments to cater for the greater demand of nations to test themselves at the highest level.
“The progress in South America is encouraging and the beginning of the road to the next World Cup in England should see more moves in the rankings by the end of the year. It is significant to see the ambition of nations such as Tonga, and I wish them well in their discussions to arrange fixtures that will whet the appetite of spectators and players across the world.”
The world rankings are based on a five year period of sanctioned Test matches, with more recent games carrying a greater value. Calculation is also based on the ranking of the opposition faced.
World Rankings as July 12th 2018
Australia 100.0%
New Zealand 72.7%
England 70.4%
Tonga 28.0%
Fiji 25.8%
Samoa 25.5%
Scotland 24.5%
France 18.3%
Lebanon 13.9%
PNG 12.4%
Ireland 10.6%
Wales 8.0%
Italy 7.4%
USA 7.1%
Jamaica 5.2%
Canada 5.1%
Serbia 4.4%
Malta 3.8%
Norway 2.7%
Russia 2.6%
Hungary 2.3%
Spain 2.3%
Belgium 2.3%
Czech Republic 2.2%
Ukraine 2.1%
Greece 1.9%
Philippines 1.9%
Netherlands 1.4%
Sweden 1.4%
Germany 1.3%
Cook Islands 1.3%
South Africa 1.3%
Chile 1.2%
Niue 1.1%
Denmark 0.8%
Vanuatu 0.8%
El Salvador 0.7%
Thailand 0.7%
Argentina 0.6%
Colombia 0.6%
Japan 0.4%
Solomon Islands 0.4%
Brazil 0.3%
Uruguay 0.3%
Hong Kong 0.2%
Bulgaria 0.1%
Latvia 0.1%
Morocco 0
Kiwi #809 Esan Marsters’ take on the week in Denver where he made his Kiwis Test debut:
“It was a serious moment for me. A special moment.
So when the anthem singer in Denver didn’t know the words to ‘God Defend New Zealand’, I didn’t pay much attention. The emotion of representing my country at Test level for the first time took over me and I wasn’t going to let anything ruin it.
https://www.facebook.com/nzkiwis/videos/10155458230756881/
I had my left arm around Jamayne Isaako, who was also making his Test debut. I had Marty Taupau on my right. I had my eyes closed, my right hand over my heart. I just kept singing.
Watching it over again on all the videos that came out afterwards, the boys all tried to sing through it but, by the end, some looked like they were trying to hold it all in.
And that wasn’t the end of the unexpected twists.
Our flight home got cancelled due to an electrical storm in San Francisco. I’d certainly rather miss the flight and be safe than be on one where something went wrong, at least.
It was a bit of a shock to some of us, because we just wanted to get home and also get ready to play for our NRL clubs on the weekend. But it was pretty cool – we got to stay there one more night and spending some extra time with the boys was enjoyable, especially with it being my first New Zealand camp. Donny Singe, our high performance expert managed our recovery so we were all well looked after.
They just booked us into a hotel near the airport. Then, we all got put on different flights on the way home – with some mixed results.
Poor Marty Taupau was unlucky – it could have been any of the boys but it just happened to be him whose flight was again delayed. He just wanted to see his family and he wasn’t happy. But, he still backed up for Manly and played good footy for his club.
I was due back in Sydney on Tuesday with our original flight and instead ended up arriving home first thing Wednesday morning. I had that day off, which worked out well.
It was a shame that the flight delays happened, given there were some people intent on criticising the Test being played in Denver. I think having the game there was a really positive thing.
Regardless of what happened, I really enjoyed my time there. I look forward to going back – we’re committed to play a New Zealand vs England Test there for the next three years.
A mile-high debut
It was a bit different in Denver! The people are really nice in the US – they talk a lot, they like to ask you how your day is going, little stuff like that.
There were billboards of us playing displayed around the city. People were asking us, ‘What are you here for, are you here for the football match?’ It was cool that they knew we were there for a rugby league game. And we got a good crowd, nearly 20,000.
It shocked a lot of people how hot it was in Denver for the game, especially coming in from winter at home. It was near 30 degrees, more like days you get during early pre-season training. And of course, we were playing at the Denver Broncos’ famous Mile High Stadium (Sports Authority Field), so breathing felt a bit different at some stages of the game due to the altitude.
You can understand why the Broncos have always had a strong home-field advantage in the NFL. You can imagine that training in the altitude would make you much fitter and stronger, and make a difference when teams visit that aren’t used to the thinner air.
The boys did pretty well acclimatising, because it turned out to be a fast-paced game.
The emotion of representing my country at Test level for the first time took over me and I wasn’t going to let anything ruin it.
The Denver training facilities are very impressive. Being a successful NFL franchise, they’ve got the best of everything. It’s an eye-opener, seeing what they work with – it’s way different to Concord! A quarter of their weight training room is bigger than our Concord facilities, though we do have everything we need at Wests Tigers.
The main stadium is impressive, with a 76,000 capacity. They have three full-size training fields outside with heated turf. The practice facility is 115,000 square feet, including a full-length indoor field, so they can train regardless of the weather.
It was certainly an interesting place to make my Test debut.
It was massive for me, playing for the Kiwis. I loved being in camp with the team. Watching a Kiwi legend like Issac Luke go about his business was great and I loved being around other guys making their debut like Jamayne Isaako.
Scoring a try – so much emotion went into that try. Growing up as a kid, you always dream of those moments. I was so proud that my family got to see that. It was exciting too, knowing how much inspiration I got from the players who have come before me, to think about kids in New Zealand watching me score that try.
Benji Marshall was one of those players who was a massive inspiration for me. To now be able to train and play with him every week at Wests Tigers, it’s amazing. I’m very lucky to have that opportunity. Not many people can say they’ve played with one of the legends of the game and one of their heroes.
Rebuilding the Kiwis
I made the Junior Kiwis two years ago. That was emotional enough. I never in a million years thought that two years later, and just a year since my NRL debut, that I’d be playing for the Kiwis in a Test.
Any time you pull on that black jersey, representing not only yourself but your family, I hold that very highly. My family went to so much effort when I was a kid to make sure I had opportunities to play rugby league and succeed.
Michael Maguire called me himself to tell me I was making my debut. He called in the morning and that whole day I was buzzing, I didn’t know what to think. I was so excited, realising that all my hard work over the years had paid off.
Michael was a chilled-out guy. Being new to the Kiwis job and with a new-look team, I guess he was just as nervous as some of us were. He made us younger players feel welcome in his camp and gave us confidence that we could go out and do the job.
Benji Marshall was one of those players who was a massive inspiration for me. To now be able to train and play with him every week at Wests Tigers, it’s amazing.
We had seven debutants in that game and it felt like a really young team. We had to learn quickly. But the boys all handled themselves well and enjoyed the experience.
It was unlucky that we didn’t get the win in Denver but now, those younger players know what it’s like in Test footy and will be better for the experience. I’ve tasted what it’s like at that level and I want to go back to my club and improve my game even further.
I’m excited for what the future holds with our national team.
First seen on Players Voice.
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Debutants Esan Marsters and Ken Maumalo both gained almost 190 metres while James Fisher-Harris, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves led the defensive effort in the Kiwis’ 18-36 loss to England in Saturday’s historic Test at Mile High Stadium in Denver.
Centre Marsters, who scored the first try of the Test, finished with 188 metres from 13 runs while wing Maumalo had 187 metres from 18 carries.
Fisher-Harris topped the tackle count with 36 while Asofa-Solomona tallied 35 and Waerea-Hargreaves 34.
In the team stats, the Kiwis had to put up with a lopsided penalty count which ran 10-3 in England’s favour while they led the line breaks 7-4 and the off loads 27-11.
MATCH DETAILS
At Mile High Stadium, Denver
New Zealand Kiwis 18 (Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2, Esan Marsters tries; Jamayne Isaako 3 conversions).
England 36 (Eliott Whitehead 2, John Bateman, Ryan Hall, Jake Connor, Tommy Makinson tries; Gareth Widdop 2 conversions, 2 penalties).
Halftime: 12-10 Kiwis.
Referee: Ben Thaler (England).
New Zealand Kiwis | Dallin Watene-Zelezniak; Jamayne Isaako, Esan Marsters, Peta Hiku, Ken Maumalo; Blake Green, Shaun Johnson; Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Issac Luke, Nelson Asofa-Solomona; Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Joseph Tapine; Martin Taupau. Interchange: James Fisher-Harris, Slade Griffin, Herman Ese’ese, Leeson Ah Mau.
England | Stefan Ratchford; Jermaine McGillvary, John Bateman, Mark Percival, Ryan Hall; Jonny Lomax, Gareth Widdop; Chris Hill, James Roby, James Graham; Sam Burgess, Elliott Whitehead; Sean O’Loughlin (c). Interchange: Jake Connor, Thomas Burgess, Tommy Makinson, Scott Taylor.
STATS
Team:
Penalties | 3-10.
Completions | 20/32 (62%); 30/36 (83%)
Total metres | 1721-1844
Kicks | 11-16
Kicking metres | 334-409
Errors | 11-7
Line breaks | 7-4
Line break assists | 5-2
Tackles | 321-269
Missed tackles |50-44
Ineffective tackles | 13-36
Off loads | 27-11
Individual:
Most metres |
Kiwis: Esan Marsters 188, Ken Maumalo 187, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 176, Nelson Asofa-Solomona 143, Jamayne Isaako 117
England: Jermaine McGillvary 191, Sam Burgess 189, Elliott Whitehead 155, Ryan Hall 149, Thomas Burgess 148
Most post-contact metres |
Kiwis: Ken Maumalo 75, Nelson Asofa-Solomona 56, Joseph Tapine 44, Raymond Faitala-Mariner 39, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 37
England: Sam Burgess 58, Jermaine McGillvary 57, Thomas Burgess 47, Ryan Hall 40, Scott Taylor 30, Chris Hill 30
Most runs |
Kiwis: Ken Maumalo 18, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 17, Jamayne Isaako 13, Esan Marsters 13, Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13, Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13
England: Jermaine McGillvary 19, Sam Burgess 19, Ryan Hall 16, John Bateman 13, Elliott Whitehead 12, Thomas Burgess 12
Most tackle breaks |
Kiwis: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 8, Esan Marsters 6, Issac Luke 5
England: Ryan Hall 7, Tommy Makinson 7
Most tackles |
Kiwis: James Fisher-Harris 36, Nelson Asofa-Solomona 35, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 34, Issac Luke 29, Joseph Tapine 27
England: James Graham 39, James Roby 32, Sean O’Loughlin 25, Chris Hill 25, Scott Taylor 24
Off loads |
Kiwis: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 5, Esan Marsters 4, Martin Taupau 3
England: Elliott Whitehead 4, John Bateman 3
Most supports |
Kiwis: Kodi Nikorima 15, Te Maire Martin 13, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 13
England: Stefan Ratchford 22, Jake Connor 14, Gareth Widdop 12
Most decoys |
Kiwis: James Fisher-Harris 5, Nelson Asofa-Solomona 5, Leeson Ah Mau 4
England: James Graham 7, Elliott Whitehead 6, Thomas Burgess 4
A cracker first half in front of a 19,320 strong crowd wasn’t enough to make the Kiwis victorious against England at the Denver Test going down 18-36.
Esan Marsters, one of seven debutants started his Kiwis career with the first try of the match off the back of Kodi Nikorima’s quick feet and offload. Marsters backed that up with some moments of brilliance on attack and when partnering with Peta Hiku, was a weapon the English struggled to stop.
Oustanding in the fullback position, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak got his reward, the first of his two tries following a line-break from veteran Issac Luke. Another conversion from Jamayne Isaako bringing the score to 12-0.
Wayne Bennett’s men trailed 12-0 before Connor was thrust into action after a number of defensive lapses by five-eighth Jonny Lomax and set up two first-half tries before scoring one himself as England continued the form which took them to last year’s World Cup final.
After running in a converted and unconverted try, England chewed away at the Kiwis’ lead taking the score to 12-10 as they ran into the sheds at halftime.
The Kiwis were starved of the ball in the second half making several mistakes that cost them. Although he showed fine form in a Test that has reinvigorated his Kiwis career, Issac Luke was guilty of kicking the ball over the dead ball line on the full three times conceding penalties for each.
England halfback Gareth Widdop landed a 50-metre penalty goal with ease after Isaako’s 55th-minute mistake, while there was limited kicking in general play.
The Kiwis started the better team and played an attacking brand of football in their first Test under Michael Maguire, while forwards Martin Taupau and Nelson Asofa-Solomona kept the crowd entertained with some big hits in the opening minutes.
It was a different England side in the second half and Widdop levelled the scores in the 46th minute with a penalty goal after Luke stepped on the hand of England centre.
England took control of the game following Whitehead’s second try in the 53rd minute after replacement Tommy Makinson swooped on a Widdop grubber.
A 56th-minute penalty goal by Widdop from halfway put England ahead 20-12 and Connor scored a try for himself when he beat Nikorima and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves before dummying past Watene-Zelezniak in the 60th minute.
Fellow rookie Makinson scored a long-range try in the 65th minute before Watene-Zelezniak scored his second try of the match. Final score, 18-36.
Slade Griffin is set to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, John Griffin, after being selected to make his debut for New Zealand in the Test against England on Saturday (Sunday, 6am AEST) at Mile High Stadium.
Griffin, who was born in Australia but raised in Greymouth on the West Coast of the South Island, will start the historic Test on the interchange but New Zealand coach Michael Maguire is yet to finalise his team, with two positions undecided.
Maguire has confirmed that Brisbane’s Jamayne Isaako and Ken Maumalo of the Warriors would start on the wings but he is undecided whether to also give a debut to Wests Tigers centre Esan Marsters or play Brisbane’s Jordan Kahu.
The other position yet to be settled is on the interchange, with Newcastle forward Herman Ese’ese vying with Sydney Roosters backrower Isaac Liu, who has impressed Maguire with his ability to play on an edge as well as in the middle.
Canterbury’s Raymond Faitala-Mariner is set to start his first Test in the second row, alongside Canberra’s Joseph Tapine, while St George Illawarra forward Leeson Ah Mau will also make his Kiwis debut on the interchange, along with Griffin.
For Griffin, Test selection will continue a family tradition after his uncle John played for the Kiwis in 1982, along with the likes of Mark Graham, Hugh McGahn, Olsen Filipaina, Howie and Kevin Tamati, Mark Broadhurst, James Leuluai and Clayton Friend.
John Griffin was also the 1982 West Coast Rugby League player of the year.
“My whole family is very proud,” Griffin said. “My uncle actually played for the Kiwis too so my family is a very proud rugby league family and they love the Kiwis so me getting the call up is something special.
“I am going to represent my home town of Greymouth, my family and pull on the black and white New Zealand jersey.”
Griffin was born in Glen Innes and would be eligible to play State of Origin for NSW but while his brother and sister consider themselves to be Australian he always wanted to represent the Kiwis.
“I am a New Zealander, I was just born in Australia,” Griffin said. “My mum lived in Australia for five years but I grew up in Greymouth and my mother, and my grandmother, grew up in Greymouth, so my family has been there for generations.”
The 27-year-old hooker, who joined Newcastle this season after six years as a deputy to Cameron Smith in Melbourne, has a relationship with Maguire from his time at the Storm as an assistant coach.
Despite the absence of big names such Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Adam Blair and Jesse Bromwich through injury, suspension or unavailability, the Kiwis still boast a strong forward pack, which includes Issac Luke, Martin Taupau, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and James Fisher-Harris.
Centre Peta Hiku has played 10 Tests for the Kiwis, while fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has represented New Zealand six times previously on the wing.
If there is an area the Kiwis could be vulnerable it is the halves as neither Kodi Nikorima or Te Maire Martin are guaranteed starting players for their clubs.
“We have got a few debutants but they have all been playing good for their clubs and I know they are excited to represent their country,” Hiku said.
“Hopefully everyone can bring the form they have had for their clubs and we can get the win. It is the first Test in Denver, everyone who is here wanted to be a part of it and we are all excited to be playing.”
Seen on nrl.com first:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/06/21/slade-griffin-to-continue-family-tradition-with-new-zealand-kiwis-selection-as-michael-maguire-mulls-final-two-spots/
Head Coach Michael Maguire has confirmed the seven players chosen in the squad to travel to Denver will all make their Test debuts for the Kiwis in the international against England at Mile High Stadium on Saturday.
In a match which will also mark his international initiation, Maguire will use three new faces in the backline, one in the starting pack and three on the interchange.
Warriors wing Ken Maumalo teams up on the left edge with experienced club-mate Peta Hiku while Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers) and Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos) are paired on the right edge.
Greymouth-raised hooker Slade Griffin (Newcastle Knights), props Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra) and Herman Ese’ese (Newcastle Knights) plus back rower James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers) make up the bench.
Maguire has named Jared Waerea Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm) as his starting props with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles middle forward Marty Taupau starting at loose forward.
Ah Mau, Maumalo, Ese’ese and Faitala-Mariner have all previously played at Test level for Toa Samoa while Marsters has represented Cook Islands.
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS v ENGLAND Mile High Stadium, Denver 2.00pm, Saturday, June 23, 2018
The career of St George Illawarra forward Leeson Ah Mau has come full circle, with the 28-year-old set to fulfil a lifelong ambition to play for the Kiwis in this weekend’s Denver Test before next season’s move home to New Zealand with the Warriors.
Ah Mau, who has been in career-best form for the Dragons, represented Samoa in 16 Tests but he grew up in Auckland dreaming of wearing a black jersey and is understood to have had discussions with New Zealand officials about playing for the Kiwis at last year’s World Cup.
After being overlooked for the tournament, Ah Mau again played for Samoa and he had been resigned to never being selected for New Zealand until new coach Michael Maguire phoned him about the June 23 Test against England at Mile High Stadium.
“Madge called me a couple of weeks ago to kind of get a gauge of where I was at and he said that I was in the picture,” Ah Mau told NRL.com.
“I was pretty shocked and at the same time pretty excited about representing New Zealand.
“I grew up in Auckland, and as a young kid it was definitely a dream to represent my country of birth. Mum and Dad were born in Samoa so in the past I have represented them but I am definitely honoured and grateful, and it is a dream come true to be here at the moment.”
Ah Mau played for the Junior Kiwis in 2006 and 2007, while playing in the Intrust Super Premiership for the Warriors and he made his NRL debut for the club in 2009.
After two seasons with North Queensland and seven for St George Illawarra, Ah Mau will return to the Warriors in 2019 in a move that will enable him to be closer to his parents, Isaak and Vaaiga, and wife Rose’s family.
In a sign of how much family means to the 110kg prop, NRL.com was told that there was little difference between the money the Warriors and Dragons offered him but he turned down a more lucrative offer from Newcastle.
“I owe a lot to the Dragons. We have been doing pretty well this season so I guess that helps to get these little rewards because of what we are doing down at the Dragons,” Ah Mau said.
Seen first on nrl.com:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/06/19/leeson-ah-mau-comes-full-circle-with-kiwis-selection/
While Peta Hiku knows what it’s all about, new team-mate Jamayne Isaako is just three days away from his first taste of Test football when the New Zealand Kiwis face England in Saturday’s historic ‘Big hits, no pads’ international at Denver’s Mile High Stadium.
The relative veteran Hiku, with 10 Tests to his name, and the exciting Isaako were in the media’s focus today.
Only just turned 22, Christchurch-born and raised Isaako is in his first full NRL season after making his debut with the Broncos last year.
Appearing in each of the Broncos’ 14 games so far this year, he already has 115 points from eight tries, 41 goals and a field goal.
The goal-kicking arm of his game also has him competing for the kicking responsibilities in the Denver Test alongside other sharp operators Issac Luke, Jordan Kahu and Esan Marsters.
Isaako, whose background as a young player was in rugby union, is taking in his rapid rise in rugby league after originally being scouted by Cronulla before moving to the Broncos.
After just a day and a half in Denver, he has been absorbing his selection and now his first day training alongside his Kiwi team-mates.
“To be honest it never crossed my mind about being selected to play for the Kiwis,” Isaako said after the field session.
“It was about a week or two before the selection was made that I got a phone call. ‘Madge’ (Maguire) gave me a call and said the team wasn’t finalised but I was in a good spot for being selected.
“I was shocked that I got a call from him to represent my country. I definitely wasn’t expecting that.”
While Isaako is soaking it all up, Hiku, who normally plays on the right edge inside David Fusitu’a with the Vodafone Warriors, has been running on the left edge with his other club-mate and first-time Kiwi Ken Maumalo.
The Kiwis have further field and gym sessions tomorrow, the training session at the University of Denver being the second and last full run before Friday’s final field outing at Mile High Stadium ahead of the Test on Saturday.
Later in the afternoon Maguire will release his Test team.
New Zealand Kiwis players can’t say enough about the measures taken to ensure they arrived in Denver in the best shape possible for Saturday’s historic Test against England at Mile High Stadium.
Little more than two hours after settling into their accommodation in downtown Denver, new Head Coach Michael Maguire, team doctor Greg Macleod and Penrith Panthers utility Dallin Watene-Zelezniak all said the team’s travel strategy had worked well.
Watene-Zelezniak said the players had been totally impressed with the measures put in place.
“The doctor gave us times that we needed to sleep, times we needed to eat, the water we needed to drink, and all the boxes have been ticked,” he said.
“It’s actually been really cool to learn about how to prepare for games like this … I feel that we’ve been treated like kings.”
Travelling in business class on United Airlines, the players were in the air for close to 17 hours as they flew more than 13,500 kilometres.
Macleod was pleased with the players’ condition.
“I feel we’ve arrived ready considering how far we’ve come and what we’ve had to do … we’re pretty happy,” he said.
“There was a lot of talk around this trip and the potential risks and the player welfare issues … so the planning for this trip started well before we arrived.”
Massage was on the menu post-flight tonight and the players will have more massage sessions this week to optimise their preparation for the Test. The players also had a photo shoot – including a team photo – soon after arriving.
For new coach Michael Maguire tomorrow (Tuesday in Denver) means real business at last as he guides the Kiwis in a field session for the first time. There’ll be another field session on Wednesday and a final run on Friday after a day off on Thursday. There’ll also be strength work tomorrow and on Wednesday.
Outside their training schedule, the Kiwis are set to see the Colorado Rockies take on the New York Mets in Major League Baseball on Wednesday evening.
Seven players are in line to make their Test debuts for the New Zealand Kiwis after being named in the 19-man squad for the historic international against England at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado, on Saturday, June 23.
In what will be his first Test as head coach Michael Maguire has called up wings Ken Maumalo (Vodafone Warriors) and Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos), centre Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers), front rowers Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra Dragons) and Herman Ese’ese (Newcastle Knights), hooker Slade Griffin (Newcastle Knights) and second rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Canterbury-Bankstown).
“I’m excited for each of them and for everyone included for the first major rugby league international ever played in the United States,” said Maguire.
“We have a group of players here who have all been in great form so far this season and totally deserve this chance.
“What has really struck home is just how passionate the players have been when talking to them about playing for the Kiwis and about this Test. They’re busting to be involved.
“It’s also hugely exciting on a personal level to not only be involved in coaching again but to have the privilege of doing so with New Zealand.”
Maguire resumes his coaching career after winning grand finals with South Sydney and Wigan as well as guiding Wigan to Challenge Cup success.
As well as the seven potential debutants, Maguire will have a core of experience in hooker Issac Luke (Vodafone Warriors), front rowers Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters) and Martin Taupau (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles) plus centre Peta Hiku (Vodafone Warriors).
“This is our first opportunity to create an expectation towards taking the Kiwi jersey back to the top of international rugby league,” said Maguire.
Of the newcomers, the most experienced is Ah Mau (27), who started his 168-game NRL career with the Vodafone Warriors in 2009. He has tasted international football with 16 Tests for Toa Samoa including last year’s Rugby League World Cup. Maumalo, Ese’ese and Faitala-Mariner have also played at Test level for Samoa while Marsters has represented Cook Islands.
The Kiwis have assembled in Sydney before flying out for Denver tomorrow morning.
NEW ZEALAND KIWIS | DENVER TEST
Frank Endacott reflects on his days as Kiwis Head Coach, the passion and pride that comes with playing for your country and memories of Kiwis legends such as Stacey Jones.
“I remember Stacey Jones watching TV at 10 o’clock at night sitting there in his Kiwis jersey two days before the Test – the pride he had in playing for his country was phenomenal…”
SKY Sport is proud to announce that it will provide LIVE coverage of the historic Denver rugby league test match between the Kiwis and England on Sunday morning, June 24th.
This is the first time that the countries currently ranked two and three in world rugby league have met in the United States, and will also be Michael Maguire’s first test as coach of the Kiwis.
Match commentary will be provided by experienced NRL and FOX commentator Andrew Voss.
WHAT: Kiwis v England WHERE: Denver, Colorado, United States WHEN: Sunday, June 24 CHANNEL: SKY Sport 2 (Channel 52) TIME: Coverage times TBC and will be released closer to the time.
New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) wishes to honour Kiwi #731 Simon Mannering for his outstanding service to the New Zealand Kiwis and the NZRL upon the announcement that he has retired from international rugby league.
Mannering has pulled on the Kiwis jersey 45 times making him one of the most capped New Zealand internationals behind Ruben Wiki (55), Gary Freeman (46) and Stacey Jones (46).
Simon epitomises the values of the NZRL and brought masses of passion and pride to the side each time he appeared in black and white.
After talking with Kiwis Coach Michael Maguire, he was confident that his time to hang up the boots had come.
“I’ve had this on my mind for a while,” said Mannering.
“The idea of taking a Test to the United States is really exciting for the game but I think it’s a good time for younger players to be given every opportunity.
“I was honoured to wear the Kiwi jersey every time and it’s been a huge privilege having the chance to play alongside so many outstanding players. It was also a special honour to captain my country.”
Maguire looks forward to his on-going involvement with the Kiwis as a mentor and knowledgeable leader of the game.
“In his years of being a Kiwi, there is no doubt that Simon has made his country proud. There is a reason so many budding rugby league players idolise his abilities on the field and the way he holds himself off the field makes him a true Kiwi role model.
“His leadership has developed and mentored a lot of young and up-and-coming players not only at club level, but at international level too. He has also left his own legacy on the new generation of Kiwi players coming through.
“Sometime down the track, I hope to work alongside Simon as his knowledge and expertise as a Kiwi international will be highly beneficial in and around the squad,” Maguire said.
As a second-rower, back-rower or centre, and being dubbed as ‘Mr. Consistent’, Mannering is a defensive specialist that teammates love having near them on the field.
He made his Kiwis debut in 2006 at the Tri Nations tournament playing in every game of the series and was named Kiwis Rookie of the Year.
In 2008, Mannering was named in the Kiwis Rugby League World Cup squad scoring two tries in their second match against Papua New Guinea. His Kiwis career highlight came when New Zealand was victorious at the 2008 World Cup beating the Kangaroos 34-20.
He was selected in the Kiwis squad for the 2010 Four Nations tournament and played off the bench in the Four Nations warm-up Test against Samoa at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium, which the Kiwis won 50–6.
During the Four Nations, Mannering featured in all of the Kiwis’ regular tournament games at Second Row. Earning selection in the centres for the Grand Final match against Australia at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, New Zealand won the game 16–12 and the 2010 Four Nations tournament.
He assumed the captaincy from Benji Marshall and led the Kiwis at the 2013 World Cup and at the 2014 Four Nations. In 2014, he was named Kiwis Player of the Year.
Mannering and his team continued their great record in Brisbane with a commanding 26–12 victory in 2015 giving them their first Anzac Test win since 1998.
Following an injury in 2016, Simon resumed his Kiwis career playing in three of the four 2017 Rugby League World Cup games taking his Test caps to 45 and equalling the feats of Kiwi #640 Stephen Kearney.
Joining Mannering in retiring from international rugby league is Kiwi #756 Ben Matulino and Kiwi #768 Russell Packer. The West Tigers teammates played in 23 and seven Tests respectively.
Matulino’s seven year Kiwis career (2009-2015) saw him debut for the New Zealand team during the Four Nations 62-12 win over France. In 2010, he was part of the Four Nations winning Kiwis side and went on to play in the 2011 and 2014 Four Nations, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 ANZAC Tests, and played in five matches of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Packer debuted for the Kiwis in 2011 at a one-off Test against Australia in Newcastle en route to the Four Nations in the United Kingdom and following a turbulent period in his rugby league career, returned to international rugby league at the 2017 ANZAC Test. At the 2017 Rugby League World Cup he played in all four games for the Kiwis and now closes the curtain on his Kiwis career.
Notes:
Simon Mannering – Kiwi #731 2006 – 2017 45 Tests
Ben Matulino – Kiwi #756 2009 – 2015 23 Tests
Russell Packer – Kiwi #768 2011 – 2017 7 Tests
Kiwis Coach Michael Maguire is calling on top level expertise to round-off his team of staff for the ground-breaking Test in Denver against England on 23 June.
Kiwi #673 Nathan Cayless and former North Sydney Bears Coach, Ben Gardiner both join Maguire in the assistant coach role, two appointments the Head Coach says will add a lot of value to his coaching staff.
“I’ve been hired to do a job – assemble the best possible team of players who want to put their hand up and say, ‘I want to play for New Zealand wherever it might be’. Every single player I’ve spoken to has really shown quite a bit of emotion about wanting to play for that jersey.
“Part of doing that means having the right expertise around me – people that are just as hell-bent on putting pride into that Kiwis jersey as I am. These two are top blokes who I believe will do exactly that,” Maguire said.
Cayless is best known as the Kiwi legend who captained the team to World Cup victory in 2008, and recently took charge of the Junior Kiwis as Head Coach in 2017. He became a household name playing rugby league at the highest level and has also built up an impressive coaching portfolio too.
Cayless took on the Wentworth Magpies ISP NSW team as Head Coach in 2016 after a stint as Head Coach of the Eels SG Ball side, and another as assistant coach of the Blue and Gold Holden Cup side in 2015.
Ben Gardiner has also been re-appointed as another one of Maguire’s assistant coaches bringing a set of skills the Head Coach is looking forward to working with.
As the assistant coach of the New South Wales under-20s, Gardiner was credited with turning around the North Sydney Bears’ fortunes in the NSW Cup after taking the head coach role mid-way through the 2015 season. Gardiner also had a part to play in the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ 2014 Premiership win alongside Maguire.
Donny Singe also returns to the Kiwis staff as High Performance Manager alongside Sean Edwards who comes on board as Athlete Performance Coach. Both Singe and Edwards have played crucial roles in the high performance space when taking their respective clubs, Manly Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs, to win NRL Premierships.
By Adam Pengilly – Sydney Morning Herald
Newly-appointed New Zealand coach Michael Maguire insisted his first Kiwi squad will be desperate to back up for their NRL clubs after the historic Denver Test match against England, which he stressed will put “pride back in the jersey”.
Just days after the Rugby League Players Association, NRL and its clubs signed a letter saying they wouldn’t be compelled to release players for the mid-season fixture if it returned in 2019 and 2020, Maguire is hellbent picking players who will travel “anywhere” to represent their country.
Stars such as the Dragons’ Englishmen Gareth Widdop and James Graham could be asked to back up for their club just 48 hours after returning to Australia from the US, which will be played on the same weekend as the standalone State of Origin clash in Sydney.
But former Rabbitohs premiership-winning coach Maguire is confident every precaution has been taken to ensure players are able to back up.
“The players are going to be completely looked after,” Maguire said. “They’re flying over in business class and we’ve got some real quality staff that are working on their peak performance. A lot of them have worked at NRL clubs and we understand the expectations and what it takes to look after the players for this current game, right down to sleep patterns to best adjust.
“A Kiwi player should be striving [to back up for their NRL club]. They got there because of club football and the players around them and it’s about the respect you give back. I know there’s various turnarounds, but players will want to play for their club no matter what the circumstance.”
Maguire, who has taken over the Kiwis job from David Kidwell, has promised to ring some changes to the squad which was dumped from the World Cup in the quarter-finals by giant killers Fiji.
He’s watched with delight the impact young forwards James Fisher-Harris and Corey Harawira-Naera have had at the table-topping Panthers, but has also told veteran halves Benji Marshall and Kieran Foran where they sit in the Kiwi pecking order.
“Every single player I’ve spoken to has really shown quite a bit of emotion about wanting to play for that jersey” -Michael Maguire
“I have spoken to both of them,” Maguire said. “They’re aware of where they’re at and in the next week or so I’ll be selecting a team with the thought pattern of putting pride back in the jersey. Every single player I’ve spoken to has really shown quite a bit of emotion about wanting to play for that jersey.
“It goes to show international footy is really alive. We’ve got to realise it’s a Test match and kids grow up wanting to play in Test matches. People have mixed opinions about this game and where it’s being played, but it’s going ahead. I’m looking for players that want to put their hand up and say, ‘I want to play for New Zealand wherever it might be’.
“I have been [impressed with Marshall]. I think he’s shown a maturity around his game, he’s very experienced and he’s shown this year how to control a game and he’s added a lot to the Wests Tigers. He’s playing the game in a different space to where he’s been before. He’s exciting with his attack, but he also has a balance with when to do that as well.”
Maguire got the nod to resume his coaching career with New Zealand, topping a shortlist which included Des Hasler and Laurie Daley.
The New Zealand Rugby League community is saddened to learn of the passing of former NZRL chairman Gerald Ryan, aged 87.
One of the most colourful officials to have served the game in this country, Gerald’s 1997-2001 tenure as chairman – which encompassed a challenging and tumultuous period in rugby league’s history – was rarely anything less than entertaining.
Prior to becoming NZRL chairman, Gerald had terms as chairman of Auckland Rugby League and the Auckland Warriors, vice-president of NZRL and patron of NZ Universities Rugby League. When Gerald took over as NZRL chairman, former Prime Minister David Lange was his deputy.
Gerald Ryan and twin Kevin were born in Westport in 1931. Theirs was to be a difficult childhood because their mother Gladys died only two years later. Father Timothy was left to raise a family of nine, eight of them boys. They moved to Hamilton and Gerald and Kevin went on to study law and flourish in the legal profession (Kevin eventually became a Queen’s Counsel before passing away in 2008).
While Kevin Ryan famously wrote in his autobiography that for all his legal career he had fought for “the rights of the innocent, the not so innocent and the downright guilty”, Gerald was to fight New Zealand’s corner for equality against powerful Australian and, to a lesser extent, British administrators in the court of international rugby league.
On one occasion, as NZRL chairman, he was told his Australian counterpart, Colin Love, would not accept a New Zealand referee to control the Kangaroos and Lions despite neutral officials then being the rule. While the British only mumbled their displeasure Gerald thundered his defence of New Zealand referees from the rooftops.
Gerald was never a great fan of Australian whistle-blowers, whom he believed were doing very little to show impartiality to the Warriors in the late 1990s. “There are orangutans and blind grandmothers from the South Island who could do better than some Australian referees,” said Gerald to any members of the media prepared to listen.
When New Zealand Maori were lobbying the International Board for acceptance into the 2000 World Cup they desperately needed NZRL backing. Although it had been another committee which initially supported them, Gerald knew he was committed: “A promise was given to them and as far as I’m concerned a promise is a promise”.
In 1996 Gerald donated the Billy Kelly Memorial Trophy for what became the Anzac Tests, in recognition of the outstanding player who went from Buller to represent both New Zealand and Australia before being wounded in the First World War and was later a renowned coach in Sydney. Gerald was Billy Kelly’s nephew.
Gerald’s NZRL chairmanship covered the tempestuous Super League war which first ignited across the Tasman, the introduction of the national Bartercard Cup and provincial second division competitions, and the national body’s brief ownership of the Warriors prior to the pivotal sale of the club to Eric Watson.
Gerald’s contribution in many spheres was officially recognised in 2011 when he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) “for services to racing, rugby league and the community”.
New Zealand Rugby League is mourning the loss of one of its all-time greats following the death of Kiwi #375 Tom Hadfield, aged 83.
Hadfield, a winger in the New Zealand Team of the Century named in 2007 and inducted to the NZRL Legends of League in 2010, passed away peacefully in Birkenhead, Auckland on Wednesday.
The Northcote Tigers flyer carved out an outstanding tenure in the black-and-white jersey, scoring a then-record 15 tries in 17 Test appearances from 1956-61. Including tour and non-Test matches, Hadfield crossed for 30 tries in 40 games for New Zealand.
A national schoolboys rep at just 15, Hadfield was a 21-year-old Test debutant in 1956 in an 8-2 loss to Australia in Brisbane and became a first-choice winger during the following year’s World Cup.
He bagged his first Test try against France at the tournament, kicking off a remarkable run of dotting down in nine consecutive Tests (12 tries in total). In the Kiwis’ clash with a Britain-France combination in Auckland after the World Cup – a match officially regarded as a Test match by NZRL – Hadfield scored three tries.
Hadfield featured in the drawn home series against Great Britain in 1958 and was the star of a 2-0 whitewash of the touring French side in 1960. He scored a double in the 9-2 victory in the first Test, while his unforgettable 70-metre solo try with 16 minutes left at a boggy Carlaw Park sealed the second Test 9-3.
After playing in all three of the Kiwis’ 1960 World Cup games, scoring two tries, Hadfield was chosen in the Rest of the World Team to play champions Great Britain – and yet again found his way over the stripe.
Hadfield switched to centre for the two-Test home series against Australia in 1961, which was tied 1-1 as he and George Turner teamed up against champion centres Reg Gasnier and Brian Carlson. He also played in the Auckland side that defeated the tourists 13-8.
Making his first full-scale tour of Britain at the end of ’61, Hadfield reverted to the flank and scored a try in the Kiwis’ shock 29-11 win in the first Test at Headingley. He missed the second Test before returning for the decider and crossing twice in a 35-19 defeat at Manchester’s Station Road.
Hadfield’s final Test appearance for the Kiwis came in a 6-all draw against France in Bordeaux on the same tour, but fittingly he scored a try in his final outing for his country in a tour game against Provence.
Phil Orchard equalled Hadfield’s New Zealand Test tryscoring record in 1975 and Hugh McGahan eventually broke it in 1989, while another six modern Kiwi have eclipsed his long-standing mark of 15 tries: Kevin Iro, Sean Hoppe, Nigel Vagana, Stacey Jones, Manu Vatuvei and Jason Nightingale.
But Hadfield’s remarkable strike-rate of 0.88 tries per Test has stood the test of time – only Lesley Vainikolo (14 tries from 14 Tests), who had the advantage of playing against minnow nations at a World Cup, has been more potent of Kiwis that have played more than five Tests.
It’s another mark of Hadfield’s greatness that he snared a New Zealand Team of the Century spot ahead of the likes of Dane O’Hara, who played a record 36 Tests on the wing, Mocky Brereton, Vern Bakalich, Brian Reidy, Hoppe and Vainikolo (Orchard was the other winger chosen).
RIP Bernard Thomas Hadfield, a true Northcote Tigers, Auckland and New Zealand Kiwis legend.
TOM HADFIELD – INTERNATIONAL RECORD
New Zealand (1956-61): 17 Tests – 15 tries (45 points).
Supplied by Will Evans
Want to watch the Kiwis take on England at Mile High Stadium in Denver?
Orbit can help you out with a travel package to make sure you don’t miss out.
To find out more contact:
Orbit Consultant: Nicola Cribb Phone: 09 355 7583 Email: NZRL@orbit.co.nz
2018 has been a pleasing year for Tigers centre Esan Marsters so far, who could be in line for a Kiwis debut this year. Marsters was instrumental in his side’s 20-12 win over the Cowboys, scoring a try and kicking the conversion to put his side up by eight points, securing the win.
Benji Marshall was also instrumental in his first appearance at Leichardt Oval since 2013, with a strong kicking performance guiding his side’s attack. New Kiwis coach Michael Maguire said that he will choose his side purely based on form, leading to suggestions Benji may return to international football after a strong start to the season.
Kiwi internationals played their part in the Rooster’s victory over the Warriors in New Zealand. Kiwi #755 Jared Warea-Hargreaves racked up 174 running metres coming off the bench, as well as Isaac Liu scoring under the posts late on and adding a linebreak. Both men could also find themselves in the Kiwis side later in the year.
Kiwi #769 Alex Glenn, who has garnered 12 Test appearances for the Kiwis, is another experienced forward who has fallen to injury in 2018 for the Broncos. Glenn was enjoying a strong campaign with three tries as well as averaging over 90 running metres a game. He went down with a medial ligament injury, and is expected to miss around a month.
The Sharks came from behind to beat the Raiders 24-16 in Canberra, with one of three second half tries scored by Auckland-born Sosaia Feki. He is yet to return to his 2016 premiership winning form, but with five wins in seven games for the Sharks, Feki should improve accordingly.
By Lachlan Waugh
The New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) can now confirm that Michael Maguire has been appointed to lead the Kiwis as Head Coach going forward.
In addition to this, the NZRL is also proud to announce that major sponsor Pirtek have extended their sponsorship of the Kiwis for the next four years including the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
General Manager of Pirtek New Zealand, Chris Bourke was pleased to build on their decade long partnership with New Zealand Rugby League and said he “couldn’t wait to see what Michael Maguire has in store for the Kiwis.”
After a stringent application process conducted by the high-powered coach selection panel and chaired by Kiwi great Dean Bell, the NZRL Board finalised the appointment of Maguire earlier this week based on the panel’s recommendations. Bell was joined by Frank Endacott, Monty Betham and Waimarama Taumaunu who are confident that Maguire is the best person for the job.
“It was great to see Michael Maguire put his hand up for the role. The high calibre of applicants we had shows that top coaches can see the Kiwis’ potential and the prestige that comes with international rugby league,” Bell said.
When asked what the drawcard was, Maguire was full of excitement at the prospect of helping to foster a winning culture within the Kiwis camp.
“New Zealand already supplies a lot of the top talent in the National Rugby League (NRL) and English Super League (ESL) and they’ve got the biggest nursery as well as the most vocal, passionate and knowledgeable fans.
“Pride in that jersey isn’t just for players, it’s for the whole of New Zealand. That’s the task facing us all at the refreshed NZRL. I’m really excited to join Reon and the team to help build a winning culture that brings New Zealand back to the top of the rugby league world.
“2017 may not have gone in favour of the Kiwis but the beauty of that, is the opportunity to reflect and reset. My full focus now is on the Kiwis and what we can do to build processes that manifest success which is centred around the respect for the black and white jersey,” Maguire said.
His attention to detail and expertise in the high performance space caught the eyes of the Coach Selection panel, Dean Bell said.
“The panel were very impressed with the thought and detail that went into his presentation. He demonstrated thorough plans on how he would prepare for the Test matches this year and what needed to be done in preparation for the World Cup in 2021.
“His obvious football knowledge was complemented by his passion for the game and the fact that he had quickly created premiership winning sides in both hemispheres also impressed the panel.
“He also displayed a sincere belief that he can consistently get our Kiwi players playing to their potential through his high performance coaching knowledge and instilling a genuine pride in pulling on the black jersey,” Bell added.
A key recommendation of the post 2017 World Cup review was that there should be more transparency and rigour around various appointments and NZRL Acting CEO, Hugh Martyn believes the panel’s input was integral to following through on this.
“Based on the Castle review’s recommendation, the Kiwis Head Coach eligibility criteria was updated to include overseas applicants.
“This means that wherever they come from, we are able to ensure the best person for the position is appointed and in this case, with an NRL Premiership and Super League title under his belt, Maguire was the right fit.
“NZRL is in a great position now compared to where it was a few months ago so it’s important that we maintain this forward momentum and continue to make improvements,” he said.
In the coming weeks, Maguire will work with the Player Selection Panel which includes Tawera Nikau, Hugh McGahan and Mark Horo, to work through selection criteria.
BIO
– Head Coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2012 to 2017 winning the NRL Premiership in 2014 – Head Coach of the Wigan Warriors from 2010-2011 winning the 2010 Super League Grand Final and 2011 Challenge Cup – Played for the Canberra Raiders from 1992 to 1996 and again in 1998 after a stint with the Adelaide Rams
NOTES:
– Pirtek is a trusted Hydraulic & Industrial hose specialist with a large footprint across New Zealand backed up by over 45 mobile service units to support customers’ maintenance & breakdown needs when and where they need it – As a long-time supporter and in addition to being the main sponsor of the Kiwis, Pirtek has assisted the NZRL at a local level through their centres to recognise key people and volunteers within the rugby league community – For more information on Pirtek’s partnership with NZRL, click here
There’ll be Kiwis players galore when the Tigers come to town to take on the Warriors this Saturday night (7.30pm) in Auckland.
While there’ll be Kiwi touches around Mt Smart stadium the most visible demonstration will be on the field.
In the first eight rounds, the Vodafone Warriors fielded 16 New Zealanders and the Tigers won’t be lacking in Kiwi talent either. Tigers co-captains Russell Packer, Elijah Taylor and former Kiwis captain Benji Marshall are just a few of the Kiwi players coming to New Zealand for round nine of the NRL.
Watch out for the Kiwis players who could be in contention for a spot in the squad that takes on England in Denver later next month.
https://www.facebook.com/vodafonewarriors/photos/a.365456916832041.87797.122894684421600/1914892311888486/?type=3&theater
ANZAC Day Commemoration
Ahead of ANZAC day on Wednesday, we flashback to the second ever ANZAC Test in 1998 where the New Zealand Kiwis beat the Australian Kangaroos – 22-16.
The Denver showdown between the Kiwis and England on 23 June is on track following a successful trip by New Zealand officials to Australia this week.
The Kiwis team management and New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) Chairman Reon Edwards returned to New Zealand following a constructive meeting on Tuesday with the 16 NRL clubs, the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA), English Rugby League (RFL) and NRL Executives.
In relation to the medical and player management issues, representatives from the RLPA confirmed they had been provided with a level of comfort regarding their specific concerns in that area.
NZRL Chair Reon Edwards said, “It was really positive to receive those comments. Of course NZRL is committed to following through on its commitment to deliver on the player management plan and maintain ongoing communication with clubs.”
Kiwis Team Doctor Greg MacLeod and High Performance Coach Donny Singe presented a comprehensive report around the player welfare and workload management that would be implemented in the lead-up to, and during the tour. It was also agreed that further assistance would be available to clubs following the players’ return from Denver.
NZRL will keep in regular communication with the NRL, NRL clubs and RLPA over the coming months to allay any other concerns with regard to the Test in Denver.
Doctor MacLeod says, “Our priority is to ensure we mitigate those risks associated with travelling long distances, a short turnaround and player workload. We have an extremely competent medical team and high performance staff and we’re fully committed to making this tour a success.”
The meeting was also attended by Rugby League International Federation Chairman John Grant who threw his support behind the June Test match, outlining the long-term benefits for the International game. The 2025 Rugby League World Cup will also be staged in the U.S in partnership with the same promoter as the Denver Test, Moore Sports International.
Edwards added, “By taking this RLIF sanctioned Test match to Denver we are breaking new ground for International Rugby League. I am the first to admit, the communication and information sharing with clubs could further improve, however all clubs have now been educated around NZRL’s commitment to mitigate the risks associated with the Denver travel demands. We’re looking forward to taking our Kiwi players to a new and exciting destination and giving the Americans a taste of International Rugby League.”
Kiwi legends Olsen Filipaina (Kiwi #529), Ali Lauitiiti (Kiwi #677) and Henry Fa’afili (Kiwi #687) are also right behind the new fixture seeing the exciting prospects for the game of rugby league in New Zealand.
“I fully support the Kiwis playing in Denver – how else is our game of rugby league going to expand if we don’t showcase it to other countries? Let’s give them a taste of Kiwi,” Filipaina said.
Lauitiiti added, “Personally, I think it’s a great initiative and it’s worked for other sports so I’m keen to see rugby league do the same thing. It’s our great game so I can’t wait for the rest of the world to be blessed with it.”
Former Kiwi legends are rallying together in support of the mid-year clash between the New Zealand Kiwis and England scheduled to go ahead in Denver.
Stomping ground of the Denver Broncos, Mile High Stadium will host the international match on 23 June where Americans will get a taste of world-class rugby league for the first time.
While the Test in Denver is set to challenge the status quo of where international rugby league is played, former Kiwi legends Olsen Filipaina, Ali Lauitiiti and Henry Fa’afili are right behind the new fixture.
Kiwi #529 Olsen Filipaina and Kiwi #677 Ali Lauitiiti played 28 and 19 Tests respectively for the Kiwis and both say taking the game to Denver is an important step for rugby league to move forward.
“I fully support the Kiwis playing in Denver – how else is our game of rugby league going to expand if we don’t showcase it to other countries? Let’s give them a taste of Kiwi,” Filipaina says.
Exploring all international and commercial opportunities for the Kiwis becomes an essential part of growing the game. Expanding into the North American market would, in turn, allow New Zealand Rugby League to better support and resource grassroots rugby league throughout the country.
Lauitiiti is excited to share the game he loves with those in America who haven’t yet had the opportunity to experience ‘the hits’ in real life.
“Personally, I think it’s a great initiative and it’s worked for other sports so why can’t rugby league do the same thing. It’s our great game so why not bless the rest of the world with it,” he says.
Like Ali Lauitiiti, Kiwi #687 Henry Fa’afili remembers his days in the black and white jersey very fondly and only wishes he could do his time again running out at the world renowned Mile High Stadium.
“It would be disappointing if the game in Denver weren’t to go ahead. We’ve got the opportunity to make history with our great game so I think we need to embrace it,” Fa’afili says.
“You only have to see the excitement and reaction from the Americans when Shaun’s twinkle toes are on show. Then there’s Roger’s speed to beat players one on one, and Marty’s strength and power to fend and run over players. For them to experience it first-hand I think will be talked about for a long time,” he added.
Filipaina, Lauitiiti and Fa’afili, alongside a number of other former Kiwis continue to support the growth of rugby league in New Zealand even after hanging up the boots. This includes NZRL Board Member Tawera Nikau and Wellbeing Manager Nigel Vagana who work behind the scenes at NZRL to ensure rugby league continues to benefit New Zealanders across the country.
With the New Zealand Kiwis clash against England heading to Denver on 23 June, Americans will get the chance to experience rugby league in their backyard fore the first time…
Preparations for the Kiwis’ ground-breaking Test against England in Denver are coming together nicely, New Zealand Rugby League confirms.
The RLIF sanctioned match scheduled to be held on 23 June at Mile High Stadium will bring international rugby league to North America for the first time. With planning stages of the fixture in full-swing, NZRL can confirm the players’ insurance policy was also locked in earlier this week.
Players selected to represent their country while in Denver will continue to receive benefits that mirror the current NRL representative, State of Origin and ANZAC Test insurance policies in place. They will also receive the extra insurance required for playing in the United States.
In addition to medical concerns being allayed by Doctor, Greg Macleod, the confirmation of the insurance policy was another essential part of the planning stages that ensures the players will be well looked after.
Ample due diligence and player welfare is always at the forefront of planning for Tests in any part of the world and Kiwis Manager Nadene Conlon says the Test in Denver is no different.
“There’s always a lot of preparation that goes into any fixture the Kiwis play in, whether it’s a Test or a tour, and travelling overseas, regardless of where it is means the same rigorous processes are undertaken,” Conlon says.
“Of course playing in Denver brings with it some unique considerations but having experts on board like Greg Macleod allows us to be prepared in the best possible manner,” she says.
West Tigers co-captain Elijah Taylor and Warriors prop Adam Blair are a couple of the Kiwi eligible players who say excitement for the Test in Denver is brewing among the player networks.
“Pulling on the Kiwis jersey is always an honour and privilege – it’s the pinnacle for any New Zealand Rugby League player,”
“Any opportunity I get I’ll grab with both hands and I’m 100 percent committed to every Kiwi game wherever it’s played,”
“I understand the NRL clubs have concerns about playing in Denver, so it’s great to see the player insurance has been sorted for the Test, along with Doctor Macleod’s reassuring words that the conditions over there don’t increase our chances of injury,”
“In the camps I’ve been a part of with the Kiwis, we’ve been well looked after and I expect the Test in Denver will be no different,”
“If the Kiwis have future games in the Pacific Islands or Europe, I will be just as committed to making the Kiwis squad if given the privilege to play for my country,” Kiwi #770 Taylor says.
Kiwi #732 and RLPA Director Adam Blair adds, “everything looks like it’s falling into place and I’m excited not only for the international game but for NZRL as this is a great opportunity to show case our game in America.”
Applications for Kiwis head coach close later this afternoon when the high-powered coach selection panel will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
A sports medicine specialist who will act as New Zealand’s official team doctor for the proposed Denver Test – and has vast experience with Super Rugby sides playing at altitude – insists there is no science to support growing player welfare concerns over the contentious fixture.
The Kiwis’ travelling physician Dr Greg Macleod, who once helped prepare the Otago Highlanders for a gruelling six-week round-the-world odyssey where they played on a different continent each week, stressed players would not be more exposed to injury if the mid-season match went ahead.
The NRL, its clubs and the Rugby League Players Association will hand a letter to the New Zealand Rugby League and Rugby Football League this week, escalating their resistance against the fixture being played at Denver’s Mile High Stadium.
But Dr Macleod was adamant that the expected Denver heat, travel toll and altitude would not increase the injury risk for the millions of dollars of NRL talent that could make the trip. A proposal to have the number of interchanges rise from the internationally recognised 10 to 12 as well drinks breaks midway through each half has been discussed for the Test, which is hoped to provide rugby league with a toehold in the United States before the 2025 World Cup.
Asked about playing at the highest altitude city in the United States, current Queensland Reds doctor Dr Macleod told Fairfax Media: “It’s not what I would consider significantly high altitude and it is not the level of altitude where you would expect altitude sickness.
“I would say 1600 metres is above a level where you feel the effects in terms of performance, but Johannesburg is over 2000 metres and we have Test matches and Super Rugby games there, including travel, all the time.
“I’ve spoken to medical staff in Denver – including paramedics who run the medical support at the stadium and work with the [NFL’s Denver] Broncos – and one gentleman who has been there for 27 years as a paramedic said he’s never seen a case of altitude-related illness from people playing at Mile High Stadium.
“This is NFL where guys are 350 pounds and 150 kilos and playing in full gear. I know it’s a different sport, but it doesn’t seem to happen for guys that have played there.
“You’ve got to remember Denver and Colorado has an Olympic training centre and people deliberately go there to train at altitude and deliberately go there to put themselves under physiological stress and challenge themselves to improve their performance. No one has any welfare concerns regarding that.
“I just can’t see how 1600 metres is a concern because it’s not proven [scientifically]. I’ve never seen anyone have health consequences because they’ve played at this sort of altitude.” Some NRL players, including the Dragons’ Gareth Widdop and James Graham, would need to fulfil NRL commitments with St George Illawarra a little more than 48 hours after arriving back in Australia after the Test, which has been mooted for June 24.
Both have given their backing for the match, which could be played in temperatures around the 30-degree mark in the northern hemisphere’s early summer.
Dr Macleod argued NRL and Super Rugby pre-season and early regular season matches are often played in searing heat nudging the 40-degree mark, as evidenced when Manly brutalised Parramatta a little over a week ago at Lottoland.
That clash kicked off as the mercury nudged 39 degrees and didn’t feature any mid-game drinks breaks.
“Denver has dry heat and a low humidity so that 30 degrees is a much more comfortable temperature than if it was combined with humidity,” Dr Macleod said. “The heat thing is a non-issue and we have many examples of players playing in higher heat and more extreme conditions than that.”
If the match gets the green light, New Zealand players will travel in business class to Denver to allow for better sleep patterns as well as using masks to help with hydration and reduce the chance of picking up viruses.
While conceding the heavy travel schedule could affect the performance of both New Zealand and England, Dr Macleod denied it would enhance the chances of any player picking up an injury – and would be no greater risk than if a NSW or Queensland representative turned out for his club 48 hours after a State of Origin match.
“The theory that you can’t travel, but play a lot of games in a short space of time seems a bit odd,” he said. “It is a long way and no one is denying that, but it’s not the furthest a sports team has travelled.
“If you look at what the [Rugby] Sevens guys do – which is a far greater travel load than what we’re looking at here – there was a study which followed players over a five-year period and it confirmed there is no increased significant injury risk for them as opposed to players who didn’t travel that far.
“Travel does affect performance, but both teams are in the same boat.”
Dr Macleod said he is yet to be consulted by anyone acting on behalf of the NRL about player welfare issues that may stem from the Denver match on June 24.
A high-powered panel chaired by Kiwi great Dean Bell has been named to lead the appointment process for the next Kiwis coach.
Besides Bell, Frank Endacott, Monty Betham and Waimarama Taumaunu will interview candidates and make a recommendation to the NZRL board which will finalise the appointment.
Also on the panel will be a Recruitment Specialist who will be tasked with supporting the panel on all HR matters and ensuring the transparency of the recruitment process. The position is now officially open to all interested applicants, not just New Zealand-based coaches. Applications will close 6th April, 2018.
“A key recommendation of the post 2017 World Cup review was that there should be more transparency and rigor around various appointments NZRL chairman Reon Edwards says.
“This independent panel is a great step forward for what is going to be a busy year for the game.”
Panel convenor Dean Bell says there should be no excuses for the Kiwis not being competitive.
“With the depth of rugby league talent the Kiwis have at their disposal, we should be challenging the best international sides, including Australia, and achieving consistent success,” Dean says.
“I’ve already spoken with other members of the panel and as a group we’re determined to support the NZRL in moving on from the issues raised in the review of the last World Cup campaign,” he says. “We need to make sure that test football is given the status it deserves.”
He says the task for the panel is to ensure the appointment of a coach who can get the best out of the players.
The first challenge for the national side is a one-off test against England in Denver, Colorado on 23 June. This will be followed by a home test against Australia later in the year and a tour of England and France in October and November.
“The test has been scheduled in the internationally agreed window, so we’re now just working with the clubs in Australia to ensure we put the best possible team on the field,” Edwards says.
All enquiries regarding the coaching position should be direct to Hannah Speedy, email hannahespeedy@gmail.com.
― ENDS ―
Panel biographies
Dean Bell ― Convenor Dean played 26 tests for the Kiwis from 1983 to 1989. He was Football Manager for the Kiwis successful 2008 campaign in Australia. Dean has been named as one of NZRL’s Immortals and inducted as one of the NZRL’s Legends of League in 2000.
Frank Endacott Frank coached the Kiwis in 35 games from 1995 to 2000, including in two World Cups, in 1995 and 2000. He previously coached the Canterbury provincial coach before joining the NZ Warriors. He also coached the Wigan Warriors and Widness in the UK.
Waimarama Taumaunu Waimarama was a Silver Fern from 1981 to 1991, and was a member of the World Championship winning team of 1987. She was captain in the last three years of her international career. She worked as national performance director for All England Netball, before coaching the Capital Shakers and the Silver Ferns from 2011-2015.
Monty Betham Monty played 101 games for the New Zealand Warriors between 1999 and 2005 and a season with the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the English Super League. He represented Samoa at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and played eight tests for the Kiwis between 2001-2006. He followed his time in league with a professional boxing career before moving to the media.
By Steve Mascord
The Denver Test is one of those rugby league issues that is easy to become emotionally invested in and spend hours on social media arguing about.
With each passing day there is another story – most out of Australia – questioning the timing and venue of an international not involving the Kangaroos on a weekend that has no NRL games, with attempts to cast continuing doubt over whether players will be released.
If the distance won’t work as an excuse why players should not be released – England travelled further last year to play Samoa in Campbelltown – then it’s the altitude, even though presumably they don’t use a lever to lower the Sports Authority Stadium when the Broncos’ rival NFL teams visit.
Hell – pun intended – officials in Australia, who play friendlies in February heat and have a team in tropical north Queensland – have even cited the temperature in June as a major concern.
Your columnist could go on and on about this…….
But then I remembered that when I grew up watching rugby league, some of the best overseas players never represented their countries anywhere, let alone at Mile High Stadium.
When Malcolm Reilly and Tommy Bishop went Down Under, they mostly gave up their Great Britain shirts.
Brian Bevan, probably the greatest Australian winger of all time, never wore the green and gold because he lived in Warrington.
The first New Zealand player I was ever aware of, Henry Tatana, played his whole nine-Test international career before he crossed the Tasman to join Canterbury and then my favourite team as a kid, St George.
This list goes on. Dane and Kurt Sorensen, the Cronulla greats, had to listen to the Kiwis on the radio at their peak because they would not be released mid-season to play for their country.
We rugby league tree-hugging liberals use soccer as an example to support our arguments but Australian soccer’s famous Liverpool man, Craig Johnston, didn’t wear the green and gold either. Ever.
The stand-alone Origin weekend presents rugby league with a unique style of ‘FIFA window’ this year. It’s new territory. Of course there is going to be push-back from clubs and others protecting their own interests.
What we are experiencing are merely growing pains. If there was such a concentration of the world’s best in one competition in other sports, those domestic competitions would try it on, too.
In 2006, a New Zealand side with just three NRL players met a Great Britain line-up with one (Adrian Morley) in the middle of the season at Knowsley Road. At 46-14 to GB, it was a bit one-sided. But international rugby league didn’t spontaneously combust. They had to field teams and they did.
So while I could continue to wax sarcasm over the administrative soap opera surrounding the Denver Test on June 23, I’m going to try really hard to focus on how far we’ve come since the days of Bevan, Reilly, Bishop, Tatana and the Sorensens.
We’re playing a mid-season Test at a neutral venue, just like the big boys of international sport. It’s something to be happy, not bitter and twisted, about.
There’s a Test on at Sports Authority Field. New Zealand and England have agreed to field the best teams they can. Tickets have been sold.
I’m going. So are some of you. The stragglers will catch up with us when they’re ready.
Kiwis flood star-studded line-ups of the NRL’s top performing teams after round two of the 2018 season.
The Manly Sea Eagles recorded their biggest ever win over the Paramattah Eels, 54-0, with their Kiwi contingent leading the charge.
Monstrous forwards, Addin Fonua-Blake (Kiwi #807) and Martin Taupau (Kiwi #785) were sublime up front providing the muscle to get their side across the line for nine tries – one of which Fonua-Blake crossed for himself.
In another game most wouldn’t have picked, Kiwi #769 Alex Glenn was among the top defenders adding to his impressive 82 tackles he has racked up over just two rounds. That propels Glenn into third spot for most tackles behind Andrew McCullough and Jake Friend.
With Glenn’s defense and the attacking nouse of Kodi Nikorima (Kiwi #793), the Broncos stunned the Cowboys in a stellar 24-20 victory in front of a home crowd in Brisbane.
The Warriors didn’t disappoint either, bringing home their second win making it two from two.
Kiwi skipper Adam Blair continued to make his presence known, offload after offload connecting with Kiwis teammate and Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to produce some moments of brilliance.
Tohu Harris also provided the grunt in the forward pack finding himself on the NRL leaderboard for third most linebreak assists.
There were also plenty of Kiwi boys in the Tigers side that orchestrated the upset of round two defeating the Storm 10-8.
It was Kiwi #756 Ben Matulino whose pass found the hands of Luke Brooks who dived to score the match-winner shocking a disbelieving Melbourne crowd.
Led by veteran Kiwi half Benji Marshall, whose organisational skills and intelligent kicking constantly tested the Storm’s back three, the visitors stepped up once again.
The Tigers refused to get overawed by the Storm’s monster pack and led by Kiwis Russell Packer, Ben Matulino and Elijah Taylor dominated the early exchanges.
If round two’s performances are anything to go by, Kiwi fans will be in for a treat when the first international Test in Denver comes about in June.
Kiwi #695 Lance Hohaia takes us back to his glory days in the black and white jersey and tells us about his new life as a coach in America.
When did you start playing rugby league as a child and who or what got you into the sport?
“I started playing when I was six years old for Huntly South. One of my best friends who was the best man at my wedding, he and I played together and his dad was the coach – I think I moved to Taniwharau the next year for under sevens. I grew up in the rugby league town of Huntly where my dad played and coached and my brother also played so it was inevitable that I’d end up playing footy. I’m really happy to have grown up in that town and it’s been a great journey since then”
Tell us about your rugby league career so far – coming from the humble beginnings of Taniwharau to becoming a coach in the United States:
“I played all through the age grades from under sixes right up until under 18s representing Waikato and each year from under tens to 18s we’d have National tournaments – those tournaments had club scouts there looking for the next big thing. I was approached by the Warriors when I was at the 16s tournament and I think back then I was offered $1000, a tracksuit and some free medical care. I jumped at the opportunity to be involved with that club – I grew up watching guys like Stacey Jones who were smaller in stature but were tough players – I turned 18 while I was still at high school and before I was finished high school I was offered a full time contract to play for the Warriors in 2001 (I was part time before that) where I played the following season. PJ Marsh broke his ankle in one of the first games of the season and I didn’t really intend on playing many games in 2002. Daniel Anderson was the head coach at the time and said to me, ”I think you’re ready, do you think you’re ready” and I of course said “Yes, I think I’m ready” so I think it was around round two or three of that season when I debuted for the Warriors against North Queensland in Townsville. From that point I played many years after that and I think personally 2008 and 2009 were my best seasons. I ended up staying till 2011 when I got offered an opportunity to play in the Super League in St Helen’s – I had been with the Warriors for 10 years and I thought a change was needed – my fiancé (now wife) agreed that it would be a cool little adventure to go on. We spent some time in the UK which was a bit of a turbulent time, it was hard for us to settle in as a family. Both of our young boys were born there and we didn’t have a lot of family support there and the Grand Final incident happened in 2015 which was quite a low point for us. We then moved to the United States after I retired which is where we live now and life’s going pretty good for us now.”
What challenges did you face as a young rugby league player transitioning into the professional world of rugby league?
“There were lots of challenges. I was 18-years-old earning six figures and dealing with media pressure, people wanting to spend time with you and looking back I was a kid who wasn’t equipped to deal with that stuff. It was tough, I feel like I was still able to play well over those years but it took time to adjust to that environment and it forced me to grow up quickly. I don’t have any regrets when I look back as it’s made me the person I am today. But, the pressure to perform, dealing with injuries, looking after yourself and being professional – they’re all things that take time and are learnt by making mistakes, I know I made a few. By the end of my career I was well on top of all of those things so I’m happy with my experiences and ups and downs that happened along the way.”
What’s your favourite league memory?
“As a player, my debut was very special, my last game for the Warriors was very special and winning the World Cup, alongside my debut for the Kiwis are the things are remember the most in terms of my accomplishments. The friends I made and the people I met – I have 100 more memories that I could rattle off. As a spectator, I remember being in Manchester when the Kiwis played Australia in the final of the World Cup, I was living there at the time and cheering them on in a foreign country, despite the outcome, was quite a cool moment. Coaching wise, I’ve been coaching a college team over here in the U.S. and they’ve gone from 35th to 5th in the nation over the past three years. I’m happy to say I had a little part to play in that and that’s probably one of my proudest moments so far.”
What was the best part of running out in the black and white jersey as a Kiwi?
“Knowing that I was representing my nation, my family, my kids and my wife – that is something that I’m pretty proud of. Listening to the national anthem at the start of the game is always something you see us players get quite emotional about. At that point you’re thinking of family members that have passed on, the effort, sacrifices and commitment it’s taken to get to that point – all those things just sit with you in that moment which is pretty cool.”
Video coming soon…
The Kiwis will play a ground-breaking Test match on 23 June against England in Denver, Colorado, the first time the countries currently ranked two and three in world Rugby League have met in the United States.
Chair of the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) Reon Edwards said the Test is an important step for the code’s international development.
“Rugby League is making impressive strides in the United States and Canada. This Test match is an opportunity to showcase the highest level of our sport in the North American market, which has significant participation and commercial potential. NZRL has worked with the Rugby Football League and the Rugby League International Federation on this, agreeing to play a New Zealand-England Test in the United States each year for the next three years,” he said.
Denver’s storied Mile High Stadium, which has a capacity of 76,000 and is home of 2016 NFL Super Bowl Champions the Denver Broncos, will host the historic June Test match.
Kiwis stalwart Simon Mannering said: “I think it’s a great concept and one I wish was around five years ago when I was a bit younger. Growing our game internationally has to be a priority – think of the opportunities we could create for our game if it was a genuine international sport played all over the world.
“I know it’ll be tough for some NRL clubs to see the importance at first, but if we really care about the game, then I think it’s something we have to support. I definitely will.”
Another notable Test for the Kiwis will be Australia coming to New Zealand for the first time since 2014. From this year the ANZAC fixture will move to the end of the season, and alternate annually between Australia and New Zealand. A rematch of the Rugby League Women’s World Cup final between the Kiwi Ferns and the Jillaroos will feature on the ANZAC Test programme, together with the Junior Kiwis taking on the Junior Kangaroos. This is part of NZRL’s commitment to staging more games in New Zealand.
The three-Test series in England announced late 2017 will be followed by a one-off Test in France.
Recent Rugby League developments in North America include the Toronto Wolfpack, Canada’s first professional Rugby League team, winning the Rugby Football League’s third tier Kingstone Press League 1 title, gaining promotion in their inaugural season in 2017, and making a successful start to the 2018 in the Rugby League Championship. Success at that level will secure promotion to Europe’s top tier Super League. Several other North American clubs are contemplating similar moves.
In 2016 the 2025 Rugby League World Cup was provisionally awarded to North America, with the United States and Canada to co-host.
Kiwis’ 2018 Test Programme Saturday 23 June 2018; Kiwis v England; Denver, Colorado, USA Saturday 13 October 2018; Kiwis v Australia; Auckland, NZ Saturday 27 October 2018; England v Kiwis; Hull, England Saturday 3 November 2018; England v Kiwis; Liverpool, England Sunday 11 November 2018; England v Kiwis; Leeds, England
Not one but five Wests Tigers captains have been named for the 2018 NRL season – three of them being Kiwis.
Returning great Benji Marshall will hold the reins along with fellow recruits Russell Packer and Josh Reynolds.
Tigers stalwart Chris Lawrence and New Zealand international forward Elijah Taylor complete the leadership group hand-picked by coach Ivan Cleary.
Lawrence – vice-captain last season – had been tipped to vie for the sole Tigers captaincy with Taylor this year but Cleary had other ideas.
“When we started this pre-season it was pretty obvious straight away that there was no real pecking order,” Cleary said.
“There was no set culture to adhere to. It was all new.
“With this particular team at this time I think it’s going to work best to spread that role and allow those blokes to develop in their own way.”
It marks a triumphant return for Tigers premiership winning half Marshall who links with the joint venture for the first time since leaving for rugby in 2013.
Former NSW half Reynolds slots into the leadership group after arriving from Canterbury while forward Packer has been acknowledged since his off-season move from St George Illawarra.
It is believed the captaincy group will share week to week duties such as leading the team out onto the field, press conferences and other off-field responsibilities.
Wests Tigers take on North Queensland in their opening NRL trial in Cairns on Saturday night.
Marshall is the only squad member who will not attend, remaining in Sydney alongside wife Zoe ahead of the expected birth of their first child.
The Tigers’ final trial is against Cronulla at Campbelltown on February 24.
As seen on TV One
Following a massive season with the Melbourne Storm, Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Kiwi #804) burst onto the international rugby league scene with the Kiwis in 2017. His physicality turned heads at the Rugby League World Cup and has earned him a spot as a finalist for both Kiwis Rookie of the Year and Kiwis Player of the Year.
Finalists have been selected in all 12 NZRL Awards categories, with winners to be announced at an Auckland function on February 10.
Kiwis stalwart Simon Mannering (Kiwi #731) joins Asofa-Solomona and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Kiwi #779) as finalists for the top award while Asofa-Solomona will also face-off for the Kiwis Rookie of the Year title.
The Women’s Player of the Year award will be another heavily contested category with hard-hitter Teuila Fotu-Moala, Women’s Rugby League World Cup Player of the Tournament up against Kiwi Ferns hooker Krystal Rota and fullback Apii Nicholls-Pualau. Rota’s 2017 Auckland Player of the Year accolade will see her as a strong contender as well as Nicholls-Pualau’s dominance at the back for the Kiwi Ferns Rugby League World Cup campaign.
A special recognition award will also honour an individual’s service to the women’s game.
The full list of NZRL Awards finalists is:
Pirtek Female Volunteer – Naioma Chase (Dannevirke Rugby League/Mid Central), Sonyia Anania (Glenora Bears/Akarana), Fipe Fa’amoe Ione(He Tauua/Southern), Alana Lockhurst (Cooks Rugby League/Sothern), Sandra Hickey (Physical Disability RL/Akarana), Jasmine Tuli (Linwood Keas/Sothern), Victoria Malone (Marist Saints/Akarana), Karla Matua (Manurewa Marlins/Counties Manukau), Chantez Connor (Otaika Eagles/Northland), Nicole Baker-Havea (Otahuhu Rugby League/Counties Manukau)
Pirtek Male Volunteer – Nathan Robinson (Country Cowboys/Aoraki/Southern), James Waetford (Ellerslie Eagles/Akarana), Will Harris (Wairau Taniwha/Sotuhern), Willy Simon (Hornby Panthers/Southern), Lawrence Erihe (Linton Cobras/Mid Central), Jack Newson (Hornby Panthers/Southern), Riki Shelford (Portland Rugby League/Northland), Jim Doolan (Otara Scorpians/Counties Manukau), Dennis Stewart (Trentham Titans/Wellington)
Grassroots Club – Northcote Tigers (Akarana), Taniwharau (Upper Central), Dannevirke (Mid Central)
Domestic Coach – Rusty Matua (Auckland), Morgan Kutia (Waikato), Rod Ratu (Auckland)
Referee – Jason Wilson (Canterbury), Chris McMillan (Auckland) Domestic Player 16s – Christian Tuipulotu (Akarana), Caius Fa’atili (Southern), Sione Moala (Counties Manukau),
Domestic Player 18s – Steven Marsters (St George Illawara), Tyler Slade (NZ Warriors), Seth Tauamiti (Southern), Jonathan Aumua Falelua-Malio (Akarana)
Domestic Player Premier – Aaron Jolley (Waikato/Hamilton City Tigers), Daniel Reuelu-Buchanan (Akarana Falcons/Glenora Bears), Phil Kingi (Akarana Falcons/Glenora Bears)
Junior Player – Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Isaiah Papali’I (NZ Warriors)
Kiwis Rookie – Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights), Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters)
Women’s Player – Teuila Fotu-Moala (Otahuhu Leopards/Counties Manukau), Krystal Rota (Manurewa Marlins/Counties Manukau), Apii Nicholls-Pualau (Manurewa Marlins/Counties Manukau)
Kiwis Player – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (NZ Warriors), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm)
Following the success of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, the new world rankings have been announced for the men’s game and, for the first time, the women.
Australia, after picking up the silverware in both tournaments, are at the head of the respective tables.
Kangaroos head coach Mal Meninga said “We believe a strong international programme is essential and see our success, and the manner in which we fought for it, as a catalyst in continuing this push to prioritise Test match rugby league. The players have been central to this achievement and I know they are very proud and humble to maintain the status quo.”
Nine nations make up the inaugural Women’s rankings.
In the men’s rankings, Lebanon are the main movers, up nine places from eighteenth into the top ten, whilst Tonga go from eleventh to fourth. Papua New Guinea rise six places to tenth and there is a welcome move for Chile, who won the first South American Championship, as they go from 37th to 32nd in a year when more internationals have been played than ever before.
Tongan head coach Kristian Woolf noted: “The Mate Ma’a’s move is just reward for a very strong year including a great World Cup campaign. It is something we want to continue, with the opportunity to be involved in more International games in the future and the ability to compete against the top three nations.”
PNGRL chairman Sandis Tsaka added: “The performance of the Kumuls during the 2017 World Cup has helped PNG get back up the world rankings and we now have the challenge of continuing to rise by playing more full international games. The PNG supporters and players have shown that they love international rugby league.”
David Collier OBE, chief executive of the Rugby League International Federation, commented: “On behalf of the RLIF board I would like to congratulate Australia on retaining their position and the other major movers, in particular Lebanon, Fiji, PNG and Tonga who all lit up the World Cup.”
“The rankings are a statistically-weighted reflection of results over the past five years, with greater emphasis on recent displays. Scotland and Samoa have retained a top six place due to their recent performances against the tier one nations, and Ireland are improving on the field yet drop out of the top 10 because of the ranking of the opposition they faced.
“What we have seen is that the success of the World Cup has reinvigorated the international game, even more fixtures are being arranged across the tiers and that will have a reflection in future rankings as past results gradually degrade.”
The Test series scheduled for next autumn between England and New Zealand will, most likely, determine which nation will end 2018 as the second ranked side.
Women’s Rankings
1. Australia 2. New Zealand 3. England 4. Canada 5. Cook Islands 6. Papua New Guinea 7. France 8. Italy 9. Lebanon
Men’s Rankings Current / Previously 1. Australia 1 2. New Zealand 2 3. England 3 4. Tonga 11 5. Fiji 7 6. Samoa 5 7. Scotland 4 8. France 6 9. Lebanon 18 10. PNG 16 11. Ireland 8 12. Wales 9 13. Italy 12 14. USA 10 15. Jamaica 13 16. Serbia 14 17. Canada 15 18. Malta 17 19. Russia 19 20. Belgium 20 21. Spain 21 22. Norway 22 23. Greece 23 24. Philippines 34 25. Ukraine 25 26. Czech Republic 26 27. Netherlands 27 28. Germany 28 29. Hungary 29 30. Cook Islands 24 31. Sweden 30 32. Chile 37 33. Niue 31 34. Denmark 32 35. South Africa 33 36. Vanuatu 35 37. El Salvador 39 38. Thailand 36 39. Argentina – 40. Colombia – 41. Japan – 42. Solomon Islands 38 43. Brazil – 44. Uruguay 40 45. Hong Kong – 46. Bulgaria 41 47. Latvia 42 48. Morocco 43
Rating points are awarded for all sanctioned internationals over the previous five (5) years and are calculated by an independent company of sports data experts. A higher weighting is given to the most recent internationals.
A review of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup campaign has commenced this week with the appointment of an independent panel.
Review chair Tim Castle – an international sports barrister and adjudicator, and elite player manager; together with Raelene Castle (no relation) – the former Chief Executive of Netball New Zealand and the NRL Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs; will consider the performance of the players and team management, and will interview an informed and representative group of individuals connected with this year’s World Cup campaign.
“We were all disappointed with the Kiwis’ performance and need to understand what went wrong,” said NZRL chairman Reon Edwards.
“A thorough independent review is essential if we’re to get it right for the next World Cup.”
He said consideration of the current coaching eligibility rule, whereby the national coach must be a New Zealander would be but one of the matters reviewed by the panel.
Panel chair, Tim Castle said he and co-panellist Raelene Castle felt very privileged to undertake the independent review.
“We recognise the sport at all levels is integral to many communities around the country, and we’re approaching the task with a positive and constructive frame of mind.
“Raelene and I will be rigorous and independent with our review, our findings and our recommendations.”
Reon Edwards confirmed the independent panel’s findings would be released in February / March along with the four-year Strategic Plan that the NZRL has been working on for the past 8 months.
“The review will input into the NZRL’s Strategic Plan, which is well evolved and has been focusing on the delivery of better outcomes for the game.
“The plan establishes our strategic direction – setting out significant steps to build on and improve the game in New Zealand, from a core focus at a grassroots level through to our high-performance programmes and the Kiwis.”
While the plan is close to being finalised, Edwards said the NZRL Board has deliberately postponed its release until the conclusion of the panel’s review.
“Spending another couple of months on the review will allow us to set the best plan possible for the next four years.
“We completely understand how the New Zealand League community, including players and coaches, feel about this World Cup performance by our Kiwis team.
“We all want our team to be successful and we need to ensure we do and have everything we need to achieve what we all desperately want – to be best in the world.”
Sport NZ CEO Peter Miskimmin said: “Sport NZ welcomes the review and credits New Zealand Rugby League for the process they are undertaking and the calibre of experts it has assembled.
“The campaign was disappointing and it’s important the team and sport rebound. We want the Kiwis to be winning, and through their success be inspiring young people to play the game and play it well.
“Tim and Raelene bring a wealth of expertise and give the review the best possible chance of achieving these outcomes.” – ENDS
REVIEW PANEL TERMS OF REFERENCE – PURPOSE
To review the Kiwis campaign at RLWC17 with the primary objective to capture material learnings, both positive and negative, from the campaign and provide recommendations to the Board that will inform: • planning and preparation for future campaigns, and • the development of NZRL’s High Performance strategy 2018-2021.
REVIEW PANEL TERMS OF REFERENCE – SCOPE
The NZRL’s Kiwis campaign preparation and performance for RLWC17 including, but not limited to, the following: • preparations and planning for RLWC17; • resources committed to the campaign both human & financial; • leadership and capability; • coach selection policy; • player selection policies; • management of player culture and welfare; • tournament logistics; • game plans, implementation and evaluation; • RLIF and RLWC17 local organising committee rules and regulations.
TIM CASTLE BACKGROUND An international sports barrister and adjudicator, and elite player manager; Tim Castle brings valuable insight into high performance sport issues, which are the subject of the NZRL panel’s review. For more than a decade he has managed numerous professional elite athletes including the former All Blacks the late Jerry Collins, Keven Mealamu, Rodney So’oialo, and Neemia Tialata. He also manages current Silver Ferns captain Katrina Grant and in New Zealand Olympic athlete Nick Willis. With regards to rugby league, in 2010 Tim was brought in by Sport New Zealand as an independent mediator to successfully facilitate the serious organisational re- structuring dispute between the NZRL and Auckland Rugby League. Tim’s extensive involvement in sports leadership includes being the first Vice President (the effective chair) of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, board member of the New Zealand Sports Foundation, New Zealand’s inaugural representative on the International Cricket Council Corruption Commission, and was an inaugural appointee to the New Zealand Sports Tribunal – a position held for eight years, Since 1991 Tim has been an appointee to the international Court of Arbitration for Sport (the first from New Zealand, Australia and Oceania), which remains the world’s principal sports disputes Tribunal; and has presided over cases involving doping, match fixing and international athlete eligibility disputes.
RAELENE CASTLE BACKGROUND Raelene is the former Chief Executive of Netball New Zealand and most recently was Chief Executive of the NRL’s Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. She was a Board Member of the International Netball Federation and the Chair of the NRL CEO group. Raelene has previously worked in the marketing, sales, sponsorship and communications areas for a number of leading New Zealand companies including Telecom, BNZ, Southern Cross Healthcare and Fuji Xerox. Recognised with a Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award in 2011, Raelene was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2015.
The atmosphere was tense when the Kiwis marched their haka but when the full-time siren rung, history had been made.
The supporters sung louder, the subs danced on the sideline, the scoreboard read: Tonga 28, New Zealand 22 and Tonga celebrated their first ever victory over the Kiwis – and the first victory by a tier two rugby league nation over a tier one opponent.
The stadium shook with the noise of Tongan hymns and cheering but the red wasn’t as prevalent as it was last week and there were plenty of black jerseys chanting “Kiwis” in reply.
Tonga forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho dedicated the historic to win to his country’s supporters.
“It’s great to see, it’s great to see all the Tonga fans who have come out from Auckland and all over New Zealand just to support our little nation.
“Seeing them out there tonight, it was great for us to put on a performance like we just did and come away for the win. All our hard work goes towards them for all of the support they have given us. It was just awesome to have them there supporting us
In a losing side, Kiwis backrower Simon Mannering was gracious.
“I can walk off that field with a smile on my face, just really happy for rugby league in general,” he said.
“I’m very much disappointed, but it was a real great spectacle for rugby league, I’ve played for a number of years and that’s probably the best crowd I’ve ever played in front of.”
Mannering said that Tonga played with a lot of energy and capitalised on the Kiwis’ mistakes well.
“We definitely could have handled the situation better, all of us, from younger guys to older guys,” he said.
“But with losses, the best thing you can do is make sure you learn from them.
“I always thought how good it would be for a game where these second tier nations beat these top tier nations and unfortunately that was us today.”
New Zealand Kiwis 22 (Tuivasa-Sheck (2), Watene Zelezniak, Rapana tries; Johnson 3 goals) Tonga 28 (Fusitu’a (3), Lolohea, Hopate tries; Taukeiaho penalty, 2 goals, Lolohea 1 goal). Half-time: New Zealand Kiwis 16 led Tonga 2. Crowd:24,105
Jesse King Rugby League World Cup 2017 Contributor
Kiwis Coach David Kidwell has brought back nearly one hundred Tests of experience for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup clash against Tonga in Hamilton.
After sitting out the Kiwis 74-6 victory over Scotland, veterans Thomas Leuluai returns to the number 9 jersey while Simon Mannering slots in at 11.
Jordan Rapana will start on the right wing, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak gets his first ever chance to play in front of his home crowd, partnering with club team mate Dean Whare on the left wing and centre respectively.
Kodi Nikorima will join Shaun Johnson in the halves with Te Maire Martin named in 19.
Isaac Liu is the only change to the bench, which continues to look to Russell Packer, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Danny Levi to add a further spark during the match.
NEW ZEALAND v TONGA WAIKATO STADIUM, HAMILTON 11 NOVEMBER 2017
KIWI NO. JERSEY NO. NAME TEST APPEARANCES 779 1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK 14 794 2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK 4 776 3 DEAN WHARE 17 803 4 BRAD TAKAIRANGI 2 798 5 JORDAN RAPANA 6 793 6 KODI NIKORIMA 6 774 7 SHAUN JOHNSON 23 785 8 MARTIN TAUPAU 18 704 9 THOMAS LEULUAI 39 755 10 JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES 21 731 11 SIMON MANNERING 43 800 12 JOSEPH TAPINE 4 732 13 ADAM BLAIR 43 804 14 NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA 2 768 15 RUSSELL PACKER 5 805 16 ISAAC LIU 1 806 17 DANNY LEVI 2 796 18 KENNY BROMWICH 3 802 19 TE MAIRE MARTIN 2 770 20 ELIJAH TAYLOR 11 781 21 PETA HIKU 10
The Kiwis enjoyed a beautiful week of summer in Christchurch and topped it off with a comprehensive win over the Scots. The conditions were as far from their previous encounter during the 2016 Four Nations as they could have been. The sun was shining, the ground was in excellent condition and the home fans were loud and proud.
New Zealand and Tonga will battle it out for top spot in Pool B and the opportunity to avoid a semi-final clash with Australia.
In what equated to the New Zealand version of Super Saturday, the Kiwis demolished Scotland 74-6 at Christchurch Stadium and then watched as Tonga overcame Samoa 32-18.
The Kiwis and Mate Ma’a are both undefeated and will meet next Saturday at Waikato Stadium in one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the tournament, with the winner set to play the third-placed team from Pool A in the quarter-finals.
That team is now likely to be Lebanon after the Cedars went down to England 29-10 at Sydney Football Stadium in the later match on Saturday night.
Match Report: Shaun Johnson has become New Zealand’s leading Test point-scorer as the Kiwis’ ran riot in a 74-6 rout of Scotland at Christchurch Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Kiwis amassed a staggering 14 tries as they blew Scotland away in a performance that will leave the rest of the competition weary of having to encounter a side now beaming with confidence.
The three tries to both Peta Hiku and Te Maire Martin will hold prominence at the top of the scoreboard, but it was the clinical, across-the-park showing of the entire team which stood out.
It was a 28-point shut-out in the opening 40 minutes and after the break the free-flowing and ad-lib football continued as New Zealand took advantage of the glorious conditions and dry track.
Johnson scored 22 points from a try and nine goals, adding to his 14-point haul in the 38-8 victory over Samoa, giving him an incredible 36 already for the tournament.
The 27-year-old took his Test points tally to 175 in his 23 Test/World Cup appearances, passing Matthew Ridge’s mark of 168 points.
The Kiwis had 196 total runs compared to Scotland’s 84. A total of 2079 run metres to the Bravehearts’ 636. And 31 offloads to the Scot’s six. It was a complete overpowering.
Right from the start the Kiwis showed they weren’t afraid to throw the ball around and their efforts were rewarded with three tries in the first 15 minutes.
By halftime, their 70 percent share of possession had helped them to half-a-dozen tries – including a Jason Nightingale double – and the lead had extended to 28-0.
New Zealand’s approach was personified by Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who threw a casual flick-pass after bumping off several Scottish defenders to set-up Martin for the Kiwis’ fifth try of the day.
Russell Packer scored his first try in a Kiwis jersey three minutes after the break as New Zealand moved to a 34-0 lead. Joseph Tapine was at the forefront of New Zealand’s destructive forward-pack who simply monstered Scotland out of the game.
Tries to Martin and Hiku – their second each of the day – along with one by Dean Whare propelled the margin out to 52 points midway through the second half, as New Zealand showed-off their depth and potential dominance to the rest of the competition.
Fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck picked up the man-of-the-match award and sits just one try short of claiming the Kiwis’ all-time World Cup try-scoring record, which he shares with New Zealand legend Lesley Vainikolo on nine.
The win leaves New Zealand ready to take on Tonga next week in what is being billed as one of the matches of the tournament to played in New Zealand, while Scotland will be icing their wounds after a damaging afternoon.
New Zealand Kiwis 74 (Martin 3, Hiku 3, Nightingale 2, Whare, Johnson, Taylor, Bromwich, Tapine, Packer tries; Johnson 9 goals) Scotland Bravehearts 6 (Thomas try; Addy goal). Half-time: New Zealand Kiwis 28 led Scotland Bravehearts 0. Crowd:12,130
Max McKinney | @MaxMckinney Rugby League World Cup 2017 Correspondent
Shaun Johnson will have a new halves partner for Saturday night’s Rugby League World Cup clash against Scotland with Te Maire Martin to wear the number 6 jersey in just his second Test.
Jason Nightingale, Peta Hiku and Dean Whare all get starts in a reshaped backline while Addin Fonua-Blake is set to earn his first Kiwis cap coming off the bench. Kenny Bromwich is fit and rearing to go in the back row. Elijah Taylor will start at hooker, rounding out the seven changes to the side that beat Samoa 38-8 at Mt Smart.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Russell Packer and Danny Levi will again provide spark off the bench.
Thomas Leuluai and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak are 18th and 19th men respectively, Simon Mannering and Jordan Rapana are 20 and 21.
NEW ZEALAND v SCOTLAND CHRISTCHURCH STADIUM 4 NOVEMBER 2017 KIWI NO. JERSEY NO. NAME TEST APPEARANCES 779 1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK 13 747 2 JASON NIGHTINGALE 32 776 3 DEAN WHARE 16 803 4 BRAD TAKAIRANGI 1 781 5 PETA HIKU 9 802 6 TE MAIRE MARTIN 1 774 7 SHAUN JOHNSON 22 785 8 MARTIN TAUPAU 17 770 9 ELIJAH TAYLOR 10 755 10 JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES 20 796 11 KENNY BROMWICH 2 800 12 JOSEPH TAPINE 3 732 13 ADAM BLAIR 42 804 14 NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA 1 768 15 RUSSELL PACKER 4 * 16 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE – 806 17 DANNY LEVI 1 704 18 THOMAS LEULUAI 39 794 19 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK 4 731 20 SIMON MANNERING 43 798 21 JORDAN RAPANA 6
New Zealand scored five unanswered second half tries to win in a physical opening round World Cup clash in Auckland, but the win was soured by the loss of centre Gerard Beale with a leg injury.
Beale was taken from the field on a medicab, suffered a suspected broken leg as he was running in support and fell to the ground without being touched.
His loss is a blow for the new-look Kiwis, who had to overcome an emotion-charged Samoa side, with blood, sweat and tears all shed on the field as both teams wore their jerseys with pride in a tough and hard-hitting match.
Hardman Junior Paulo went from tears to aggression as he sung the national anthem before leading Samoa in a spine tingling pre-game war dance.
Following a blood pumping Haka from New Zealand, the opening minutes of the game featured hard straight running, and brick wall defence.
But it took only five minutes for New Zealand to break through Samoa’s defence and record their opening try of the World Cup.
40 meters out from Samoa’s line, Rapana flicked the ball inside to Shaun Johnson who drew the full-back and returned the ball to a full flight Rapana who ran down the field for New Zealand’s first try.
Following Johnson’s unsuccessful conversion, the match fell into an arm wrestle as the big men of both teams tried to bash their team into good field possession.
But it would be the footwork of New Zealand forward Simon Mannering that created a chance for Shaun Johnson to extend their lead 20 minutes out from half time.
Holding onto a slim 10-0 lead, Samoa needed to strike before half time to get back into the game.
And with just four minutes left to play in the half, Joey Leilua came off his edge and threw a long cut out ball to Ken Maumalo who picked up the bouncing ball and planted it down to bring the score line to 10-4 shortly before half time.
After a scrappy start to the game, completing just over 50% of their sets, New Zealand started to show glimpses of their world-class talent.
Then in the 56th minute, Johnson launched a grubber off his right boot, which sat up perfectly for Kodi Nikorima to give New Zealand a confident 20-4 lead as their attack started to gel.
New Zealand’s momentum was dealt a big blow in the 61st minute when Beale was taken from the field after suffering his injury. Beale was motionless on the field as his teammates were clearly distressed after falling to the ground after a tackle.
Despite the injury, New Zealand continued to rally and put Samoa to the sword as they ran in three unanswered tries in 20 minutes to finish the match.
As the siren sounded to finished the match, Samoa finally broke through New Zealand’s defensive line for a late consolation try, but it meant little as New Zealand finished winners, 38-8.
NZ 38 Jordan Rapana, Shaun Johnson, Brad Takairangi, Kodi Nikorima, Issac Liu, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Nelson Asofa-Solomona tries; Shaun Johnson 5 goals Samoa 8 Ken Maumalo, Joseph Paulo tries
James Coman1 | @JamesComan1 Rugby League Wolrd Cup 2017 Reporter
October 28 at Mt Smart
Kiwis Coach David Kidwell has named an attacking line up to tackle Samoa in their opening Rugby League World Cup match at Mt Smart on Saturday October 28.
The mix of youth and enthusiasm as well as experience in Kidwell’s side is displayed with the fact the Kiwis will cap player #804 during the match, whilst Kiwi #704 Thomas Leuluai will start at hooker.
Brad Takairangi will become Kiwi #803 earning his first start in the centres alongside Gerard Beale while Kodi Nikorima will partner Shaun Johnson in the halves.
Martin Taupau will be joined in the front row by skipper Adam Blair with the back row made up of Simon Mannering, Joseph Tapine and Kenny Bromwich.
Russell Packer who will provide a further spark off the bench along with Danny Levi, Isaac Liu and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will also earn their first Kiwis cap.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is named in 18 with Peta Hiku in 19, Te Maire Martin 20 and Addin Fonua-Blake in 21.
NEW ZEALAND v SAMOA MOUNT SMART STADIUM AUCKLAND Saturday 28 October 2017
KIWI NO. JERSEY NO. NAME TEST APPEARANCES 779 1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK 12 794 2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK 3 767 3 GERARD BEALE 10 * 4 BRAD TAKAIRANGI – 798 5 JORDAN RAPANA 5 793 6 KODI NIKORIMA 5 774 7 SHAUN JOHNSON 21 785 8 MARTY TAUPAU 16 704 9 THOMAS LEULUAI 38 732 10 ADAM BLAIR (C) 41 796 11 KENNY BROMWICH 2 800 12 JOSEPH TAPINE 2 731 13 SIMON MANNERING 42 * 14 NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA – 768 15 RUSSELL PACKER 3 * 16 ISAAC LIU – * 17 DANNY LEVI – 755 18 JARED WAEREA-HARGREAVES 19 781 19 PETA HIKU 9 802 20 TE MAIRE MARTIN 1 * 21 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE –
The confirmed squads for the RLWC2017 Men’s Tournament have been confirmed today. Get behind your Kiwis!
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Pool A
Australia 1.Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers), 2.Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm), 3.Boyd Cordner (Vice-Captain) (Sydney Roosters), 4.Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), 5.Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons), 6.Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons), 7.Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights), ,8.Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos), 9.Wade Graham (Cronulla Sharks), 10.Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks), 11.Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos), 12.Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm), 13.David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs), 14.Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos), 15.James Maloney (Cronulla Sharks), 16.Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers), 17.Jordan McLean (Melbourne Storm), 18.Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys), 19.Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), 20.Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm), 21.Cameron Smith (Captain) (Melbourne Storm), 22.Jake Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles), 23.Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles), 24.Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers).
England 1.John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), 2.Kevin Brown (Warrington Wolves), 3.Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 4.Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 5.Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), 6.Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers), 7.James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs), 8.Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), 9.Chris Heighington (Cronulla Sharks), 10.Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves), 11.Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), 12.Jonny Lomax (St Helens), 13.Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), 14.Mike McMeeken (Castleford Tigers), 15.Sean O’Loughlin (Captain) (Wigan Warriors), 16.Mark Percival (St Helens), 17.Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves), 18.James Roby (St Helens), 19.Scott Taylor (Hull FC), 20.Alex Walmsley (St Helens), 21.Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), 22.Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), 23.Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), 24.George Williams (Wigan Warriors).
France 1.Bastien Ader (Toulouse Olympique), 2.Olivier Arnaud (SO Avignon XIII), 3.Lucas Albert (Catalans Dragons), 4.Jason Baitieri (Catalans Dragons), 5.William Barthau (Toulouse Olympique), 6.Guillaume Bonnet (SO Avignon XIII), 7.Julian Bousquet (Catalans Dragons), 8.Clement Boyer (Toulouse Olympique), 9.Damien Cardace (FC Lezignan), 10.Nabil Djalout (Catalans Dragons), 11.Theo Fages (Captain) (St Helens), 12.John Boudebza (London Harlequins), 13.Benjamin Garcia (Catalans Dragons), 14.Maxime Herold (XIII Limouxin), 15.Benjamin Jullien (Warrington Wolves), 16.Thibault Margalet (Catalans Dragons), 17.Anthony Maria (Toulouse Olympique), 18.Hakim Miloudi (Doncaster/Hull FC), 19.Mark Keirallah (Toulouse Olympique), 20.Roman Navarette (Catalans Dragons), 21.Eloi Pelissier (Leigh Centurions), 22.Mickael Rouch (XIII Limouxin), 23.Gadwin Springer (Castleford Tigers), 24.Fouad Yaha (Catalans Dragons).
Lebanon 1.Robbie Farah (Captain) (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 2.Mitchell Moses (Vice-Captain) (Parramatta Eels), 3.Danny Barakat (Wentworthville Magpies), 4.Jamie Clark (Auburn Warriors), 5.Adam Doueihi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 6.James Elias (West Newcastle), 7.Ahmad Ellaz (Auburn Warriors), 8.Nick Kassis (Blacktown Workers), 9.Andrew Kazzi (Wests Tigers), 10.Anthony Layoun (Parramatta Eels), 11.Michael Lichaa (Canterbury Bulldogs), 12.Mitchell Mamary (Wentworthville Magpies), 13.Bilal Maarbani (Manly Sea Eagles), 14.Abbas Miski (North Sydney Bears), 15.Tim Mannah (Parramatta Eels), 16.Ray Moujalli (Canterbury Bulldogs), 17.Reece Robinson (unattached), 18.Travis Robinson (Newtown Jets), 19.Chris Saab (Blacktown Workers), 20.Raymond Sabat (Lycans FC), 21.Jaleel Seve-Derbas (Wests Tigers), 22.Elias Sukkar (Wentworthville Magpies), 23.Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), 24.Jason Wehbe (unattached).
Pool B
New Zealand 1.Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), 2.Gerard Beale (Cronulla Sharks), 3.Adam Blair (Captain) (Brisbane Broncos), 4.Kenneath Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), 5.Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Sea Eagles), 6.Peta Hiku (Warrington Wolves), 7.Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors), 8.Thomas Leuluai (Wigan Warriors), 9.Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights), 10.Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters), 11.Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), 12.Te Maire Martin (North Queensland Cowboys), 13.Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons), 14.Kodi Nikorima (Brisbane Broncos), 15.Russell Packer (St George Illawarra Dragons), 16.Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), 17.Brad Takairangi (Parramatta Eels), 18.Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), 19.Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles), 20.Elijah Taylor (Wests Tigers), 21.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors), 22.Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), 23.Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers), 24.Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers).
Samoa 1.Frank Pritchard (Captain) (Parramatta Eels), 2.Bunty Afoa (NZ Warriors), 3.Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra Dragons), 4.Fa’amanu Brown (Cronulla Sharks), 5.Herman Ese’ese (Brisbane Broncos), 6.Pita Godinet (Manly Sea Eagles), 7.Tim Lafai (St George Illawarra Dragons), 8.Joseph Leilua (Canberra Raiders), 9.Ricky Leutele (Cronulla Sharks), 10.Sam Lisone (NZ Warriors), 11.Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), 12.Suaia Matagi (Parramatta Eels), 13.Peter Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights), 14.Ken Maumalo (NZ Warriors), 15.Zane Musgrove (South Sydney Rabbitohs), 16.Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), 17.Joseph Paulo (Canberra Raiders), 18.Junior Paulo (Cronulla Sharks), 19.Ben Roberts (Castleford Tigers), 20.Sam Tagataese (Cronulla Sharks), 21.Jazz Tevaga (NZ Warriors), 22.Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm), 23.Frank Winterstein (Manly Sea Eagles), 24.Matthew Wright (Manly Sea Eagles).
Scotland 1.Alex Walker (London Broncos), 2.Andrew Bentley (Toulouse Olympique), 3.Ben Hellewell (London Broncos), 4.Ben Kavanagh (Hull KR), 5.Brandan Wilkinson (Bradford Bulls), 6.Callum Phillips (Workington Town), 7.Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants), 8.Danny Addy (Hull KR), 9.Danny Brough (Captain) (Huddersfield Giants), 10.David Scott (Batley Bulldogs), 11.Frankie Mariano (Featherstone Rovers), 12.James Bell (NZ Warriors), 13.Jarred Anderson (Sydney Roosters), 14.Johnny Walker (Darlington Point Roosters), 15.Kane Bentley (Toulouse Olympique), 16.Kieran Moran (Hull KR), 17.Lachlan Stein (Penrith Panthers), 18.Lewis Tierney (Wigan Warriors), 19.Luke Douglas (St Helens), 20.Matthew Russell (Warrington Wolves), 21.Oscar Thomas (Bradford Bulls), 22.Ryan Brierley (Toronto Wolfpack), 23.Sam Brooks (Featherstone Rovers), 24.Shane Toal (Barrow Raiders).
Tonga 1.Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks), 2.Mahe Fonua (Hull FC), 3.David Fusitu’a (NZ Warriors), 4.Siliva Havili (St George Illawarra Dragons), 5.Ata Hingano (NZ Warriors), 6.Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs), 7.Konrad Hurrell (Gold Coast Titans), 8.Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels), 9.Solomone Kata (NZ Warriros), 10.Sione Katoa (Penrith Panthers), 11.Samisoni Langi (Leigh Centurions), 12.Tuimoala Lolohea (Wests Tigers), 13.Sika Manu (Hull FC), 14.Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels), 15.Sam Moa (Catalans Dragons), 16.Ben Murdoch Masila (Salford Red Devils), 17.Joe Ofahengaue (Brisbane Broncos), 18.Tevita Pangai jnr (Brisbane Broncos), 19.Ukuma Ta’ai (Huddersfield Giants), 20.Sio Siua Taukieaho (Sydney Roosters), 21.Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys), 22.Peni Terepo (Parramatta Eels), 23.Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), 24.Manu Vatuvei (Salford Red Devils).
Pool C
Papua New Guinea 1.David Mead (Captain), Brisbane Broncos), 2.Ase Boas (Vice-Captain) (PNG Hunters), 3.Enoch Maki (PNG Hunters), 4.Garry Lo (Sheffield Eagles), 5.James Segeyaro (Cronulla Sharks), 6.Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm/Sunshine Coast Falcons), 7.Kato Ottio (Canberra Raiders), 8.Kurt Baptiste (Canberra Raiders), 9.Lachlan Lam (Sydney Roosters), 10.Luke Page (Burleigh Bears), 11.Moses Meninga (PNG Hunters), 12.Nene MacDonald (St. George Illawarra Dragons), 13.Nixon Put (PNG Hunters), 14.Paul Aiton (Catalan Dragons), 15.Rhyse Martin (Canterbury Bulldogs), 16.Rod Griffin (Canterbury Bulldogs), 17.Stanton Albert (PNG Hunters), 18.Stargroth Amean (PNG Hunters), 19.Thompson Teteh (Redcliffe Dolphins), 20.Wartovo Puara Jnr (PNG Hunters), 21.Wellington Albert (PNG Hunters), 22.Watson Boas (PNG Hunters), 23.Willie Minoga (PNG Hunters).
Ireland 1.Liam Finn (Captain) (Wakefield Trinity), 2.Scott Grix (Vice-Captain) (Wakefield Trinity), 3.James Hasson (Wakefield Trinity), 4.Kyle Amor (St Helens), 5.Liam Kay (Toronto Wolfpack), 6.Will Hope (Sheffield Eagles), 7.Oliver Roberts (Huddersfield Giants), 8.Ed Chamberlain (Widnes Vikings), 9.George King (Warrington Wolves), 10.Joe Keyes (Bradford Bulls), 11.Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves), 12.Jack Higginson (Wigan Warriors), 13.Anthony Mullally (Leeds Rhinos), 14.Tyrone McCarthy (Salford Red Devils), 15.Brad Singleton (Leeds Rhinos), 16.Micky McIlorum (Wigan Warriors), 17.Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (St Helens), 18.Api Pewhairangi (London Broncos), 19.Matty Hadden (Rochdale Hornets), 20.Shannon McDonnell (Camden Rams), 21.Michael Morgan (Canterbury Bulldogs), 22.Casey Dunne (Athboy Longhorns), 23.James Kelly (Sheffield Eagles), 24.Alan McMahon (Waterford Vikings).
Wales 1.Courtney Davies (Gloucestershire All Golds), 2.Steve Parry (Gloucestershire All Golds), 3.Chester Butler (Halifax), 4.Danny Ansell (Hunslet), 5.Sam Hopkins (Leigh Centurions), 6.Michael Channing (London Broncos), 7.Ben Evans (London Broncos), 8.Dalton Grant (London Broncos), 9.Elliot Kear (Vice-Captain) (London Broncos), 10.Rhys Williams (London Broncos), 11.Matty Barron (Newcastle Thunder), 12.Joe Burke (Oldham Roughyeds), 13.Gavin Bennion (Rochdale Hornets), 14.Craig Kopczak (Captain) (Salford Red Devils), 15.Matty Fozard (Sheffield Eagles), 16.Andrew Gay (South Wales Ironmen), 17.Christiaan Roets (South Wales Ironmen), 18.Regan Grace (St Helens), 19.Morgan Knowles (St Helens), 20.Ben Morris (St Helens), 21.Rhodri Lloyd (Swinton Lions), 22.Josh Ralph (Tweed Heads Seagulls), 23.Phil Joseph (Vice-Captain) (Workington Town), 24.Matty Seamark (Wynnum Manly Seagulls).
Pool D
Fiji 1.Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters), 2.Salesi Faingaa (Parramatta Eels), 3.Jarryd Hayne (Gold Coast Titans), 4.Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm/Sunshine Coast Falcons), 5.Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), 6.Apisai Koroisau (Manly Sea Eagles), 7.Joe Lovadua (St George Illawarra Dragons), 8.Henry Raiwalui (Mounties), 9.Taane Milne (St George lIlawarra Dragons), 10.Sitiveni Moceidreke (South Sydney Rabbitohs/North Sydney Bears), 11.Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury Bulldogs), 12.Kevin Naiqama (Captain) (Wests Tigers), 13.Ben Nakubuwai (Gold Coast Titans/Tweed Heads Seagulls), 14.Mikaele Ravalawa (Canberra Raiders), 15.Junior Roqica (London Broncos), 16.Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), 17.Ashton Sims (Warrington Wolves), 18.Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos), 19.Pio Seci (Nabua Broncos), 20.James Storer (Port Kembla Blacks), 21.Akuila Uate (Manly-Sea Eagles), 22.Eloni Vunakece (Sydney Roosters/ Wyong Roos), 23.Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm), 24.Brayden Wiliame (Catalans Dragons).
Italy 1.Daniel Alvaro (Parramatta Eels), 2.Mirco Bergamasco (Saluzzo Roosters), 3.Nathan Brown (Parramatta Eels), 4.Christophe Calegari (Palau XIII Broncos), 5.Terry Campese Queanbeyan Blues), 6.Justin Castellaro (Northern Pride), 7.Chris Centrone (Wyong Roos), 8.Geole Cellurino (Saluzzo Roosters/Tully Tigers), 9.Mason Cerruto (Penrith Panthers), 10.Ryan Ghietti (Northern Pride), 11.Gavin Hiscox (Central Qld Capras), 12.Jack Johns (Newcastle Knights), 13.Richard Lepori (Oldham Roughyeds), 14.Josh Mantellato (Wyong Roos), 15.Mark Minichiello (Captain) (Hull FC), 16.Nathan Milone (Wests Tigers), 17.Joel Riethmuller (Northern Pride), 18.Brendan Santi (Sydney Roosters/Wyong Roos), 19.James Tedesco (Vice-Captain) (Wests Tigers), 20.Joel Tramontana (Canterbury Bulldogs), 21.Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons), 22.Jayden Walker (Cronulla Sharks), 23.Colin Wilkie (Northern Pride), 24.Shannon Wakeman (Huddersfield Giants).
USA 1.Jonathan Taylor Alley (Central Florida Warriors), 2.Ryan Burroughs (Toronto Wolfpack), 3.Charles ‘CJ’ Cortalano (White Plains Wombats), 4.Joseph Eichner (Toronto Wolfpack), 5.Bureta Faraimo (NZ Warriors), 6.Gabriel Farley (Philadelphia Fight), 7.Kristian Freed (White Plains Wombats), 8.Daniel Howard (Wentworthville Magpies), 9.Stephen Howard (Mounties), 10.Martwain Johnston (Delaware Black Foxes), 11.Andrew Kneisly (Philadelphia Fight), 12.Corey Makelim (Mounties), 13.Fotukava ‘Hiko’ Malu (Atlanta Rhinos), 14.David Marando (Belrose Eagles), 15.Nicholas Newlin (Atlanta Rhinos), 16.Mark Offerdahl (Captain) (London Broncos), 17.Edward Pettybourne (Tweed Heads Seagulls), 18.Joshua Rice (New York Knights), 19.Matthew Shipway (South Newcastle), 20.Samuel Tochtermann-Talbott (Tweed Heads Seagulls), 21.David Ulch (Tampa Mayhem), 22.Taioalo Junior Vaivai (Illawarra Wests Devils), 23.Matthew Walsh (White Plains Wombats)
Kidwell, who was a student of All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka at Hillmorten High School in Christchurch, was a guest of Steve Hansen and his staff on their busiest training day ahead of the Test at ANZ Stadium.
After watching the way Hansen prepared his team, Kidwell was one of the few people not surprised that the All Blacks led the Wallabies 40-6 at halftime and 54-6 in the 46th minute before going on to win 54-34, and says he learned a lot from his time in camp last Thursday.
It was just great to see the way they do things, Kidwell said.
I see myself as a continuous learner so to have the opportunity to learn off one of the premier sports teams in the world, in the all blacks, was obviously beneficial.”
I really enjoyed it and I want to thank Steve and his team for letting me into their inner sanctum.
They are really professional in the way they do things, which is why they are at the top of their sport, and to see it come out in the game last Saturday night was really impressive.
What most impressed Kidwell was the leading role the All Blacks players took at training session, and he wants to create a similar high performance environment in the Kiwis camp during the World Cup.
What I want to do is create a gap between the NRL and the Kiwis, and make sure that when players come into the Kiwis environment they are lifting their standards and lifting the commitment there, Kidwell said.
That is what I saw coming into the All Blacks camp, they are there for a purpose and while the coaches are there to help they have a strong culture and it is player led. They have obviously got a high standard of excellence and what I was really impressed was that it is really player driven.
What I really noticed was that there wasnt any wasted energy. Everything they do is with a purpose, whether it is catch and pass, tackle technique or whatever and it is all player driven.
Obviously I want to improve the environment of the Kiwis and there are few things we can change which I think will really benefit us.
While Kidwell didnt want to go into specific detail about what the Kiwis may adapt from the All Blacks he said one thing that was likely to change would be their training schedule between games.
I had a look at the days they train, what they do on those days compared to us and the reasons why, he said.
They train two days before the game and it is a double-day, whereas we are used to having that day off. That really impressed me, knowing the reasons why they do it, and I think it could be really beneficial for us. Id love for us to one day have a mixed training session.
Kidwell also plans to make changes to the Kiwis playing style and has been in discussions with technical advisor Brian Smith and assistant coach Garth Brennan about ways to capitalise on the strengths of the players who will be in the New Zealand squad.
What I have tried to do the last four or five teams we have played Australia hasnt worked so the one thing I said to Brian when we sat down and talked about his role was that I wanted to look outside the box, Kidwell said. Brian has coached over 600 first grade games so he has a lot of knowledge and experience, and we are looking at a different style we are going to play during the World Cup.
We have obviously got a lot of talent within the NRL so we are really going to try and use our strength, with the style of football we will play during the World Cup.
New Zealand meet Samoa in their opening match of the World Cup at Mt Smart Stadium on October 28, before travelling to Christchurch to play Scotland on November 4 and to Hamilton to take on Tonga on November 11.
By Brad Walter | @BradWalterSport Chief Correspondent, RLWC2017
We put Kiwi boys Jordan Kahu, Dean Whare and Marty Taupau in the hot seat to find out a little more about themand their teammates…
Kiwis Coach David Kidwell has announced Adam Blair as the new captain to lead New Zealand at the Rugby League World Cup 2017.
The 30-year-old, Whangarei born Kiwi has played a vital role in the teams successes since his debut in 2006. With 41 international Tests under his belt, including the 2008 World Cup and 2014 Four Nations winning teams, Adam has been an integral member of the top-quality Broncos squad who are currently sitting in the NRL top four.
Having been a member of the Kiwis leadership team for several years, Kidwell is confident Blair has the mana, integrity and experience to take the next step in his career.
Adams vision and rugby league intelligence has been proven time and time again.
He is a well-respected core member of our team and has earned the respect of both the coaching staff and his fellow players, he says. Adam will steer the team in a positive direction with his actions, courage and mana.
Blair is known for his attention to detail both on the field and in his educational pursuits and he is taking the new role in his stride.
Im honoured to take on the new leadership role, playing for the Kiwis is not something I take lightly and leading the boys, especially in World Cup year is a challenge Im excited to get into, he says.
While Simon Mannering was considered for the role, the rugby league stalwart supported Blair in bringing a fresh perspective to the position.
Ive talked with Simon and he is happy with his role within the team and will continue to play a fundamental part as a member of the leadership group that will support the new captain, Kidwell says.
Blairs first appearance as captain will be when the Kiwis take on Samoa at Mt Smart on October 28.
Adam Blair:
Kiwi: #732
Date of birth: 20/03/1986
First grade appearances: 251
Tests: 41
Debuted: 2006
Junior Kiwis: 2002 & 2003
The big hits keep coming for Kiwi #655 Ruben Wiki. Just days after making his comeback at the age of 44 at the Auckland Nines, Wiki was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame at the Halberg Awards.
He is just the ninth rugby league inductee to achieve the honour. Other rugby league players recognised have been Albert Baskerville, Tom Baxter, NZRL Legend Mark Graham, Kiwi #665 Stacey Jones, Ces Mountford, Charlie Seeling, George Smith and Des White.
Multi-talented and immensely popular Wiki proved himself to be among the finest of all rugby league players during 16 first-grade seasons which included an illustrious club career on both sides of the Tasman, establishing a Test-appearances world record while playing for the Kiwis in the backs and the forwards, and captaining his country to one of its most significant international triumphs. Since his retirement in 2008 he has continued to serve the sport at club and national levels.
Of Samoan and Maori descent, Wiki was born on January 21, 1973. In 1992 he starred for the Junior Kiwis, playing alongside future All Black captain Tana Umaga in the centres, and went on to represent Auckland and New Zealand Maori before being signed by the Canberra Raiders in 1993. He teamed up with his boyhood hero Mal Meninga when Canberra won the 1994 grand final. Wiki also made his Test debut against Papua New Guinea in 1994 and was to wear the Kiwis jersey every year from then until 2006.
The first half of his international career was almost exclusively played as a 95kg centre, where he made 21 of his first 24 Test appearances (the other three were as a replacement loose forward). At the 2000 World Cup in Britain he started in the forwards for the first time, staying there for his remaining 31 Tests. He progressively moved from loose forward and then into the second-row before specialising as a 106kg prop from 2004. Few rugby league players anywhere in the world have had the combined physical and mental assets to successfully handle all of those very different roles.
In 2005 Wiki captained the Kiwis and was named man of the match in their stunning 24-0 victory over Australia in the Tri Nations final at Elland Road in Leeds. It was New Zealand’s maiden victory in a major tournament and was the forerunner to subsequent World Cup (2008) and Four Nations (2010 and 2014) triumphs. That momentous occasion was also Wiki’s 50th Test match – he was the first to achieve that milestone for any nation – and when he retired after the 2006 season his world record stood at 55. Wiki had captained his country in the last 18 of them, proving to be an inspiration on and off the field.
After retiring from international football he twice played for the All Golds, against the Northern Union in Warrington in 2007 and against New Zealand Maori in New Plymouth in 2008. He also represented a Samoa Residents side in 2009 and, just after his 44th birthday, captained the Vodafone Warriors at the 2017 NRL Nines at Eden Park (the first time he had ever played at the venue).
At NRL level, Wiki made 225 appearances for the Canberra Raiders from 1993 to 2004 – and was twice that proud club’s player of the year – and 87 for the Vodafone Warriors from 2005 to 2008 (named player of the Year in 2005). On June 29, 2008, he became only the 10th player of all time, and the first (and still only) New Zealander, to reach 300 first-grade matches in a competition which extends back to 1908. When he retired at the end of that season his total was 312.
Since his retirement from playing, Wiki has served as the New Zealand Rugby League’s high performance manager, been on the support staff of the Kiwis, and held the role of strength and conditioning coach for the Vodafone Warriors. He has mentored numerous young players seeking to follow in his footsteps and occasionally pulled the boots back on to play in charity games. Wiki has been recognised in many Canberra, Vodafone Warriors and New Zealand ‘best ever’ team selections since his retirement, including the New Zealand Rugby League’s team of the century.
In 2007, while still playing in his penultimate season for the Vodafone Warriors, Wiki was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to rugby league. Later that year he won the Ken Stephen Medal, awarded annually to the NRL player who makes the most outstanding contribution to the community.
NZ Kiwis rugby league coach David Kidwell admits he needs to surround himself with experienced minds, if he has any chance of turning the team’s current slump around.
Kidwell has just one win in five matches as Kiwis coach and was in the firing line, after a disappointing Four Nations campaign that included two losses to Australia and a draw with Scotland.
He said coming in just months out from the campaign was tough and that having another voice to lean on could help dramatically.
“I’ve got an opportunity to align myself with High Performance New Zealand and go into a forum where other coaches might have been in the same situation,” Kidwell told Newstalk ZB’s Tony Veitch.
“It’s an opportunity for me to learn.”
Read more
One-test Kiwi and respected Maori leader Mita Mohi MBE JP has died in Rotorua, aged 78.
Mohi (Kiwi #501) played among the forwards, representing Canterbury in 42 games from 1960-73, and turning out for Marist, Papanui and Riccarton in Christchurch.
He also represented South Island three times and NZ Marist, making his only appearance for the Kiwis against hosts France at the 1972 World Cup. Ironically, Mohi injured a calf during the pre-match haka and was replaced during the game.
A train driver in his early working life, Mohi was also a professional wrestler and prominent in Maori tennis, but is best known for his promotion of the Maori culture and particularly “mau rakau”, the art of Maori weaponry.
He established the Mokoia taiaha wananga to train boys and men in the art of using the Maori spear, and also developed a mau rakau programme that has run in New Zealand prisons.
Mohi was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1995 New Year Honours for his services to youth and, in 2007, received a Rotorua District Council community award for voluntary services.
He was given the Keeper of Traditions Award at the 2012 National Waiata Maori Music Awards and that same year, accepted the Sir Kingi Ihaka Award at the Te Waka Toi Awards.
“The wairua [spirit] that man had was just incredible,” second cousin and NZRL life member Trevor Maxwell told the Rotorua Daily Post.
“There would have been thousands of kids who went through his programme on Mokoia Island. He helped so many, especially those at-risk kids.”
Australia have turned on a rugby league masterclass to dispatch the NZ Kiwis in the Four Nations final and grab the world #1 ranking from their rivals.
The Kangaroos stamped their authority with an impeccable first-half performance and held on for a 34-8 victory at Anfield, the famous home of Liverpool FC.
Winger Josh Dugan scored twice, as the Kangaroos bullied the Kiwis’ inexperienced left-edge defence, while his team ran in a total of six tries through a combination of power, skill and speed.
Australia wasted no time establishing their dominance, taking advantage of Jordan Kahu’s handling error to put centre Blake Ferguson across untouched in the corner.
Jordan Rapana split the Aussie defence with a long run, but when it broke down, the Kangaroos counterattacked, with fullback Darius Boyd providing the last pass for Dugan’s first try.
A botched play-the-ball between Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Issac Luke provided Australia with the opportunity for Trent Merrin to bullock his way over near the posts, while Dugan outpaced the defence to gather a kick-through from Johnathan Thurston for his second try.
Ahead 24-0 at half-time, Australia enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory, racking up nine repeat sets and completing 90% of their sets. New Zealand had just three repeat sets and finished 67%.
If the Kiwis hoped to mount a comeback, they were rocked soon after the restart, when Boyd barely reached the try-line to extend the Australian lead.
There were more hopeful signs for the black-and-white jersey through the second half though. In the 56th minute, Jordan Kahu capitalised on some extended pressure with a try and then secured a double, when he spun and lunged across the line.
But there was no denying Australia their triumph, with second row Boyd Cordner providing the icing on the cake in the final moments. Boyd was named Man of the Match.
“It was one of those nights,” conceded Kiwis veteran Adam Blair, “We worked really hard this whole tour and this week, but we were very disappointed with our effort in the first half.
“Collectively, as a group, we let ourselves down and our ball-handling was terrible.
“Then we came out in the second half and tried to play some footy in what we believe is the Kiwis style, but they were a class outfit tonight and cleaned us up.”
New Zealand must now regroup under coach David Kidwell and prepare for their next challenge, the trans-Tasman test early next year and Rugby League World Cup 2017 on home soil.
Australia 34 (Josh Dugan 2, Blake Ferguson, Trent Merrin, Darius Boyd & Boyd Cordner tries; Johnathan Thurston 5 goals) NZ Kiwis 8 (Jordan Kahu 2 tries)
NZ Kiwis look to defend their tournament title and world #1 ranking, when they face Australia on Monday morning 3:30am (NZ time) in the final match of the 2016 Four Nations.
Coach David Kidwell has acknowledged it has been a difficult task naming the final squad considering the effort all members of the tour have shown.
“The intensity, application and focus has gone up another level this week. I’ve been really pleased with how the boys have responded and it’s made the job harder to pick my squad which is really positive.”
Apart from Kiwi #704 Thomas Leuluai (broken jaw), all other players were in consideration for the team.
Adam Blair will become the seventh player in history to play 40 tests in the black-and-white jersey, joining Issac Luke, who achieved this milestone last week.
“This very rarely happens, players reaching this level,” says Kidwell. “Both men hold so much mana in Te Iwi Kiwi and as they always do, they will help lead the team on Sunday.”
Jordan Kahu, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Kevin Proctor and Jason Taumalolo all return to the playing squad after last week off, as well as Lewis Brown and Jordan Rapana, who were 18th and 19th men.
The Kiwis could be the first team ever to win consecutive Four Nations titles.
“The main thing is concentrating on key areas in our game and taking opportunities,” says Kidwell.
“We’ve worked extremely hard all tour and now it’s time to show that on the field for a full 80 minutes.”
The full NZ Kiwis team (in alphabetical order) to face Australia in the Four Nations final is:
Adam Blair (Brisbane Broncos) Jesse Bromwich – captain (Melbourne Storm) Lewis Brown (Manly Sea Eagles) Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs) James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers) David Fusitu’a (NZ Warriors) Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm) Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors) Jordan Kahu (Brisbane Broncos) Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors) Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters) Issac Luke (NZ Warriors) Te Maire Martin (Penrith Panthers) Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels) Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm) Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders) Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders) Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys) Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles) Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers)
Now that the NZ Kiwis are confirmed in next weekend’s Four Nations final, veteran utility Lewis Brown is looking on the positive side of events that have delivered them there.
Held to a surprise draw by Scotland on Saturday (NZ time), the world #1 side needed to rely on Australia holding off England, before they could finalise plans for another week in the north of England.
With that nightmare behind them, the Kiwis can now focus on their one-off assignment at the iconic Liverpool FC home ground of Anfield.
“Obviously we’re a bit disappointed, but it is what it is,” reflects Brown, who filled the unenviable 18th-man role for the encounter against the Scots at Workington.
“We came up against a team that was very passionate at a place where they’ve had a lot of success.
“Luckily, we get another bit of the cheery. It wasn’t ideal, firstly losing to Australia and then having a draw against Scotland, but it shows how strong international rugby league is becoming.
“It was probably a wake-up call, to be honest, and maybe a blessing in disguise.”
Brown has carved a niche for himself in the Kiwis rotation, often spelling hooker Issac Luke for 15-20 minutes in the second half. That provides an ideal opportunity to gauge the team’s performance through the opening stages of a match.
“We probably haven’t started games that well,” he admits. “Against England and Australia, we were probably chasing out tails a bit.
“It was the same against Scotland. With a strong wind behind us, 6-4 at halftime probably wasn’t that ideal.
“Our starts haven’t been the best, but it’s all there. As individuals, we need to focus a bit more and hopefully our execution can come from that.
“We probably haven’t put together a full 80 minutes of football. We’ve got a lot of calibre in the side, but we haven’t put it all together yet.
“When you think about it, that’s quite exciting.”
After the Scotland game, the NZ contingent moved base from Carlisle to Manchester, awaiting further developments. Their hotel did not carry BBC coverage of the Australia v England game, some nervous Nellies chose not to watch, while others went elsewhere to learn their fate.
With one training run under their belts, they are due to relocate to Liverpool tomorrow.
“Looking back on the three games, we’ve prepared pretty well, but we just haven’t put the right performance together,” says Brown. “We’ve gone pretty close, but I believe our energy has been a bit down, whereas in past successful years, we’ve had a lot of energy.
“It’s all about stripping it right back and playing the brand of footy we like to play. We’ve got forwards who can move the ball and I’m pretty sure, this weekend, we’ll be looking to do that.
“It’s been there the last three weeks, but we probably haven’t executed it that well.”
After the Scotland result, the Kiwis will enter the Four Nations climax as firm underdogs, but Brown is adamant his team are capable of turning their fortunes around, with their tournament crown and world ranking at stake.
“We haven’t spoken about that this week, but we came over as #1 and we want to go back #1,” he says. “New Zealand rugby league is in a pretty strong position at the moment and our attitude here is we don’t like losing.”
Twelve of this current squad took the field for the 2014 Four Nations victory in Wellington, a performance that capped an unbeaten run through that tournament.
“Playing in that final was one of the highlights of my career and you’ve got to take a bit of belief from that,” reflects Brown. “A lot of boys were in that final and if you haven’t won one, it’s a bit hard.
“But we’ve been there and done it, and that experience will hopefully hold us in good stead this weekend.
“I have every belief that if we can get ourselves right, we give ourselves a good chance.”
One dilemma immediately facing coach David Kidwell is a replacement for veteran five-eighth Thomas Leuluai, who left the Scotland game with a broken jaw.
Two obvious candidates are second row Tohu Harris, who has filled the #6 jersey on a makeshift basis previously, or international rookie Te Maire Martin, who made his debut as Leuluai’s replacement on Saturday.
But the Kiwis’ struggles on tour have perhaps found some perspective, as news filters through on the earthquakes that have struck much of New Zealand in recent days.
“Obviously, it’s a bit close to home for us,” admits Brown. “I’ve got family in Christchurch and they’ve had it rough.
“It’s not very pleasant to see stuff like that happen in your own backyard and the city has been through a lot. Luckily, my family are all safe.
“The boys are a bit rattled. A few of them are from Wellington, and their families or friends got evacuated.
“It’s a weird feeling when something like that is going on back home.”
NZ Kiwis had progressed to the Four Nations final at Anfield next week, after Australia turned aside England 36-18 overnight.
World champions Australia had already qualified for the tournament climax, but did their trans-Tasman rivals a favour with their hard-fought victory over the home side at London’s Olympic Stadium.
The English needed only a draw to advance and lagged only 10-6 at half-time. Big centre Greg Inglis gave the Kangaroos some breathing room with a try, converted by Johnathan Thurston, soon after the restart, before the floodgates opened.
Prop Matt Scott and centre Josh Dugan scored in quick succession, both converted by Thurston, and the margin was suddenly 28-6.
England five-eighth Graham Widdop gave his side a glimpse of hope with a converted try, but Aussie second-row Matt Gillett put the result beyond doubt, stretching out in a two-tackle for another four-pointer.
Big English winger Ryan Hall kept his incredible try-scoring record intact, scoring his 31st in 31 games, but rookie winger Valentine Holmes dove over acrobatically in the corner to complete the scoresheet.
The Four Nations final is scheduled for the iconic home of Liverpool FC next Monday, November 21, at 3.30am NZ.
World number #1 New Zealand face an anxious 48 hours, if they are to progress to the Four Nations final next week.
The NZ Kiwis were held to an historic 18-18 by underdogs Scotland in their final pool game at Workington’s Zebra Claims Stadium, conceding a final-minute converted try that has them on the cusp of elimination.
They must now hope world champions Australia can defeat England tomorrow morning (NZ time) in London. The tournament hosts only need a draw to advance on points-differential.
Faced with a fired-up Scottish side, playing at their south-of-the-border home, a heavy ground and horrific weather conditions, the Kiwis, including four players on debut, never really settled into their task.
They reached half-time just 6-4 ahead, after enjoying the benefits of a strong tail-wind for the first 40 minutes.
After 20 minutes of unrewarded Scots dominance, debutant winger David Fusitu’a finally put them up with a try down the right side.
Capitalising on a Scotland mistake down their own end, the NZ side made easy metres up the middle of the park, half Shaun Johnson found Tohu Harris running off his shoulder and the rangy second rower showed Fusitu’a an open path to the line.
But Lewis Tierney answered only a few moments later, chasing down a grubber kick from Lachlan Coote behind the try-line and grounding before space ran out. Danny Brough’s conversion was wayward, leaving his team adrift at the break.
Brough signalled Scotland’s intent immediately after the restart, drilling a wind-assisted 40/20 kick that pinned the Kiwis deep in their own territory.
Somehow, the black-and-whites held them out and eventually provided Fusitu’a with another touchdown on the end of a slick back-line movement
But the Bravehearts weren’t to be denied, drawing even with a try to Ben Hellewell, converted by Brough. Then they drew a penalty by catching Manu Ma’u offside, as he regained his feet from a tackle and Brough slotted a go-ahead kick from out in front for a 12-10 lead.
Facing an upset of Trump proportions, the Kiwis seemed to stave off defeat with two tries in quick succession to centre Gerard Beale. Neither were converted into the wind and Scotland still had a chance with the final minutes counting down.
That was all they needed. Charging back onto attack, they moved the ball right, where centre Euan Aitken burst through two tacklers to score. Brough was again on target to seal the deadlock, as the final hooter sounded.
Johnson was named Man of the Match and was a threat whenever he had the ball in hand, but the individual honour will be small consolation, if the English can get up on Monday morning.
“We’re disappointed, but Scotland played really well tonight,” he said afterwards. “We wanted to get the job done, but we knew it was going to be tough in difficult conditions, but a lot of credit to Scotland.
“Every game you play in these tournaments is very tough. We can complain all we want about how we played, but they showed up with the right attitude and competed really hard.”
This was the best performance ever from a “fourth team” at the Four Nations and suggests the big three cannot rest on their laurels as the game spreads internationally.
As the starting winger, Fusitu’a was always dangerous on debut, but fellow newcomers Joseph Tapine, James Fisher-Harris and Te Maire Martin were forced to come off the bench under fire.
They probably enjoyed their best moment, when Martin and young fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak were part of the lead-up to Beale’s second try, DWZ providing the final pass.
Martin came onto the field, when veteran Thomas Leuluai ominously headed to the sideline clutching a broken jaw.
“I suppose that was a welcome to coaching,” reflected new Kiwis coach David Kidwell. “I thought we did well to get back into the game, with the conditions here suited to Scotland’s style of play.
“We’ve got some disappointed players in there, but we just have to move on and make sure we recover well.”
NZ Kiwis 18 (David Fusitu’a 2 & Gerard Beale 2 tries; Issac Luke goal) Scotland 18 (Lewis Tierney, Ben Hellewell & Euan Aitken tries; Danny Brough 3 goals)
NZ Kiwis players are trying to take the mathematics out of the equation this week, as they prepare for a banana-skin Four Nations match-up with Scotland on Saturday (NZ time).
But fullback Jordan Kahu admits they are ruing past mistakes that have added to the tension, as they try to nail down their spot in next week’s tournament final.
After edging England in their campaign opener and falling narrowly to world champions Australia last week, New Zealand have the inside running on a place at Anfield and a chance to defend their title from two years ago.
All they require is victory against the Scots and an Australian win over England to set the scene for a trans-Tasman showdown at the iconic home of Liverpool FC.
But if the home side were to somehow topple the Kangaroos, then points differential becomes crucial and the Kiwis’ margin of success over Scotland becomes doubly important.
Weigh that against the temptation to blood several tour rookies this week and you begin to understand the dilemma facing coach David Kidwell.
But Kahu insists his team-mates aren’t sweating too much on the outcome, just the process.
“As players, we haven’t been focusing on [points differential] too much,” he says. “We had missed opportunities against Australia and England, and points have gone begging, so we’re really just focusing on ourselves to make sure we’re at the top of our game.
“Hopefully, if we put our best footy on the park, that will help us with the differential.
“When we play England and Australia, it’s always hard to get points. Defensively, they’re both pretty good teams and we’ve been trying our best, but those missed opportunities haven’t helped.
“If we can rectify that, then I guess we can put more points on the board.”
Apart from the opening stages against England, when they jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, the Scots haven’t really threatened an upset so far, but that’s not to say they won’t provide a tricky obstacle in that scramble for final spots.
Kahu, for one, refuses to write them off.
“They’re gutsy. They’ve definitely put their hand up and shown they’re competitive at this level.
“We’re coming to Scotland and playing their home team. I know if Scotland were coming to New Zealand, we would definitely be putting our best team on the park, so we’re going to prepare like we’re playing anyone else and make sure everyone turns up on Friday.”
The composition of that Kiwis line-up should become clearer within 24 hours and Kidwell may opt to test some of the exciting new talent waiting in the wings.
Five-eighth Te Maire Martin, wing/fullback David Fusitu’a, and forwards Joseph Tapine and James Fisther-Harris are all vying to become Kiwi #800, while one-test winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is another champing at the bit.
“They definitely deserve a shot,” says Kahu, who may well have to step aside to make room, if those newcomers are to be accommodated.
“They’ve been here with us since Perth and pushing us at training, making sure we’re fighting for our positions.
“They all deserve a chance to wear the black jersey and If they do, they’ve been training like they’re ready to play some good footy and I’m sure they’ll fit in pretty well.”
Head coach David Kidwell has given four international rookies the chance to wear the black-and-white jersey in the NZ Kiwis’ Four Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday morning (NZ).
One-test Kiwi Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (21) has been named at fullback in place of Jordan Kahu, joining debutant David Fusitu’a (22), who takes a wing spot, in the starting line-up.
Three others – Te Maire Martin (21), James Fisher-Harris (20) and Joseph Tapine (22) – will come off the bench for their first appearances in an international test match. The first to take the field will become Kiwi #800.
The NZ team have moved camp to Carlisle ahead of their game in Workington on the northwest coast of England.
With this line-up, all 24 members of the touring squad will have played during the Four Nations tournament.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for these young players,” says Kidwell. “They are hungry, their effort and attitude in training has shown me that, and they’ll bring a lot of energy.”
After the 14-8 loss to Australia last Sunday (NZ), Kidwell acknowledges this game is a must win.
“The most important thing right now is we need to win. Scotland started really well against England and we need to respect that.
“They have improved every game and if you add that on top of the conditions, we have a tough challenge ahead.”
“The guys making their debuts deserve the opportunity to play. They have worked extremely hard and have been pushing for spots all tour.”
Jason Nightingale also returns to the team, after missing last week’s test with an ankle injury.
Manu Ma’u and Greg Eastwood come into the starting team replacing Kevin Proctor and Jason Taumalolo, while Gerard Beale shifts to centre in place of Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
6Kiwis half Shaun Johnson came within an ace of stealing an unlikely result against world champions Australia, but he and his New Zealand side fell shot 14-8 in their Four Nations clash at Coventry.
One week after engineering a one-point win over hosts England in their tournament opener, Johnson appeared out of sorts for most of this encounter, but burst to life over the final 10 minutes to bring his side within an ace of victory.
Trailling 14-4, he chipped ahead on the final tackle of a set, regathered in midfield and spread the ball to centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who drew the last defender and sent Jordan Rapana over in the corner.
Johnson’s conversion attempt was wide, but a converted try could still snatch a draw.
With the final seconds counting down, Johnson found another chink in the Kangaroos’ defensive armour and plunged over the try-line, but was wrapped up by Australian fullback Darius Boyd and was unable to force the ball.
The thriller ended, with Gerard Beale’s in-goal speculator forced dead.
“We had a chance, but it wasn’t to be,” lamented Johnson afterwards. “We had plenty of opportunities at the end, we just came up short.
“A few things let us down, we just couldn’t build the pressure we wanted. We just have to get better.”
Australia dominated the first half, running in tries to wing Blake Ferguson and half Johnathan Thurston to lead 10-0 at the break. They probably should have been further ahead, but made more errors than their counterparts, who could not get a fair share of possession.
New Zealand’s best chance of scoring in the opening 40 minutes came, when Rapana intercepted the ball on his own try-line and set off up-field, only to be ankle-tapped by the pursuing Greg Inglis.
But the reigning Four Nations champions began the second half with far more determination, rewarded when centre Solomone Kata bullocked his way over for his first try in the black jersey.
Ultimately, the win slipped from the Kiwis’ fingers through ill-discipline. Twice, they were penalised in the tackle in front of their own posts and Thurston’s kicking boot stretched the advantage to 14-4.
Ferguson almost had another try in the right corner, but the touch judge correctly ruled the final pass forward.
New Zealand came close, but could never quite bridge the gap.
It was an improved performance on their previous two outings against Australia, though – the 16-0 loss in Newcastle in May and 26-6 in Perth three weeks ago.
The Kiwis still hold the inside running on a spot in the Four Nations final. They must beat Scotland convincingly in Workington on Friday and hope Australia can keep England at bay on Sunday.
If England win, the two final berths will likely be decided on a countback of points difference, so the margin of victory over the Scots becomes vital to New Zealand’s hopes.
Australia 14 (Blake Ferguson & Johnathan Thurston tries; Thurston 3 goals) NZ Kiwis 8 (Solomone Kata & Jordan Rapana tries)
