Kiwis Team For RLWC Semi-final

PRESS RELEASE

Kiwis Team For RLWC Semi-final

London, England, November 21, 2013 – Kevin Locke at fullback, Jason Nightingale on the wing in place of an injured Manu Vatuvei, and Sam Kasiano back in the playing 17 are the features of the Kiwis team named today for the Rugby League World Cup semi-final this Saturday (UK-time) against England at Wembley, London.

The contest between Locke and Josh Hoffman for the fullback spot has been a constant on this tour. Before naming his semi-final side, the Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney had given both guys two starts in the competition.

“I thought Kevin had a really good match last week,” said Kearney. “For this game, I thought this was the best choice for the group. He deserved the opportunity."

One guy who won’t get an opportunity this week is the blockbusting winger Vatuvei, who came off late against Scotland in the quarter-finals with a groin strain.

“Manu hasn’t run at all this week,” said Kearney. “There was a chance that he could’ve been right for Saturday, but we would’ve had to wait right up until the last minute. With what’s at stake, I wanted to give Jason Nightingale a full week’s preparation on the wing, so he could get his mind around playing. I know Jason is a tremendous footballer and it’s certainly hard to leave him off your team list when you’re picking a team. He’ll do a wonderful job for us.”

Frank Pritchard, who has been named alongside Sonny Bill Williams in the second-row, didn’t finish Wednesday’s training with a ‘bit of a hamstring twinge.’

“Frank’s never had one of those before,” said Kearney. “We’ve had a couple of stretch sessions this week, and we’ve had a yoga session - just because of the cold weather. We’ve been very mindful of making sure we’re ticking all the boxes there to make sure the lads are ready when they train. But sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way, which is unfortunate.

“We’re hopeful, but we’ll have to see how pulls up over the next couple of days.”

Kearney is more at ease with how his props are shaping up for the clash against the substantial England pack. He has named Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jesse Bromwich, Ben Matulino and Sam Kasiano in his 17.

“I thought Jared, Jesse and Ben had great games last week against Scotland,” said Kearney. “Jared came off the bench and made something like 150meters, which was real powerful and what we wanted from him. He’ll start this week. I think it’s the occasion and the opposition.”

Kasiano, the biggest of the Kiwis’ big boppers, didn’t play last week but takes his place on the interchange bench this time ahead of Sam Moa.

“Sam Kasiano offers something a little bit different to the other front rowers. He has got a lovely touch with the hands and he’s a big guy who can put a real hole in your defensive line if you’re not ready for him.”

The Kiwis vs England RLWC semi-final match kicks off at 1pm Saturday, November 23 (UK-time), at Wembley Stadium, London. The match will be shown live on SKY Sport in NZ on Sunday morning (2am KO NZ-time).

Following the Kiwis v England match, Australia play Fiji in the second of the semi-finals at Wembley (4.30pm KO NZ-time). Over 65,000 tickets for the double-header event have already been sold.

The RLWC final is on November 30 at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The 19-man Kiwi squad to face England on Saturday is:

ENDS

© Scoop Media