Kearney And Marshall at Four Nations Launch Tomorrow

Kearney And Marshall at Four Nations Launch Tomorrow

Liverpool , England , October 23, 2011 – Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney and captain Benji Marshall will help to launch the 2011 Four Nations at Elland Road in Leeds tomorrow morning (Monday).

The Kiwi duo will cross the Pennines from their base in Liverpool to join Tim Sheens and Darren Lockyer (Australia), Steve McNamara and Jamie Peacock (England) and Iestyn Harris and Lee Briers (Wales) to kick-start the tournament which starts with the defending champion New Zealand facing the Kangaroos at Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington on Friday night (October 28).

Host nation England meets tournament debutant Wales in the second match at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday (October 29).

In the tournament’s second week, all four teams descend on London for a double header at Wembley Stadium when the Kiwis will face Wales in the early match and England will meet Australia in the feature game.

After assembling late on Friday, the Kiwis had their first full day’s training today, following a morning strength session with a heavy field session at Liverpool University this afternoon. Kearney is expected to name his side to take on the Kangaroos in the next two days with one change certain following the one-match suspension handed down to debutant prop Russell Packer after last weekend’s Test against Australia in Newcastle.

Earlier this morning the Kiwi players and staff gathered in their hotel to join the global television audience taking in the All Blacks’ epic battle to hold out France 8-7 to win Rugby World Cup 2011’s final.

Yesterday the Kiwis were among the 45,000-strong crowd at Anfield to watch Liverpool’s incident-packed 1-1 draw with Norwich City in the English Premier League. For most of the Kiwis party of 23 players and 10 staff it was a first-time experience. They’re also due to watch Fulham play a Europa League match at Craven Cottage in London on November 3.

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