Mon October 15, 2007
Warriors utility Lance Hohaia was today recalled to the Kiwis as a second replacement for their four-test tour to Britain and France.
With original selections Steve Matai (shoulder), Luke Covell (dislocated elbow) and Krisnan Inu (shoulder) all ruled out of the campaign, Hohaia (24) joins 19-year-old Sydney Roosters winger/centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall who was added to the squad last night.
Hohaia and Kenny-Dowall both joined the touring party as it prepared to leave for England today.
With Covell and Inu injured in yesterday's 0-58 Centenary Test defeat by Australia in Wellington, the Kiwis have lost their two frontline goal-kickers.
"That's one of the major reasons why Lance has been called in," said coach Gary Kemble.
"We need a goal-kicker now and Lance gives us that. He also provides cover for a number of positions - hooker, the halves and the centres."Hohaia played the most recent of his seven tests in the opening match of the 2005 Tri Nations series. He was in the Tri Nations squad again last year but wasn't used in the test side, appearing only in the tour match against the New Zealand Residents in Greymouth.
The inclusion of Hohaia and Kenny-Dowall gives the Kiwis 23 players at the moment. Kemble said a 24th will be chosen after watching the All Golds take on the Northern Union in Warrington on Saturday.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE
Mon October 15, 2007
The Kangaroos head home today to a reminder of even bigger challenges ahead with news that tickets for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup will go on sale on November 7 this year.
Fresh from their record 58 ? 0 victory over New Zealand, the Kangaroos can enjoy their final off-season break before Rugby League World Cup XIII Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday, October 26, next year.
While the release of the ticketing programme today gives fans time to plan their World Cup itineraries before the on-sale date of November 7, it's a clear sign for the players that the game's biggest international challenge is just around the corner.
"It's been something that's been in the back of everyone's mind until this point but now they have a very clear focus on the event," Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart said today.
"While yesterday's result is pleasing heading into a World Cup year, it is important that we don't become complacent and lose focus of our ultimate goal which is retaining our title as Rugby League World Champions."
The ticketing programme for the Rugby League World Cup takes in 18 matches across 12 different venues in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the ACT.
Rugby League World Cup organisers have ensured that the range of ticket prices and the geographic spread of the venues will give a maximum number of fans the chance to get involved in the World Cup.
"It has been 30 years since Australia hosted a Rugby League World Cup," RLIF Chairman and World Cup Tournament Director, Mr Colin Love AM, said today.
"We wanted to ensure that as many Rugby League fans as possible and indeed that all sports fans could be a part of this major international event."
The ticket programme announcement today gives fans the chance to study the match schedule before tickets go on sale at noon on November 7, 2007.
The ticketing programme is currently available at
www.rlwc08.comTickets for matches in NSW (including the Opening Ceremony at the SFS on October 26), Queensland (including the final at Suncorp Stadium on November 22) and the ACT will be distributed through Ticketek agents from noon on November 7.
Tickets for the historic Australia v England match at Melbourne's Telstra Dome will be available through Ticketmaster from noon on November 7.
Tickets for Rockhampton's Browne Park game can be purchased locally through the Pilbeam Theatre box office.
NRL Season Ticket Holders will be advised of their exclusive purchasing windows in coming weeks.
Organisers have also set aside tickets for Accredited RLWC'08 travel agents.
Only these official tournament agents can guarantee overseas fans access to premium tickets to all matches.
The Rugby League World Cup kicks off on Saturday, October 25, 2008 with the final to be played on Saturday, November 22 in Brisbane.
Qualification matches between seven nations are being contested over the next month for the final three spots in the World Cup competition. The three successful teams will join Australia, New Zealand, England, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji and Tonga in the tournament.
More information about the Rugby League World Cup can be found at
www.rlwc08.comTicketek
1300 136 494
www.ticketek.com.au
Telstra Dome
Ticketmaster
1300 136 122
www.ticketmaster.com.au
Browne Park
(Pilbeam Theatre)
07 4927 4111
www.venuesandevents.com.au
The full schedule for the 2008 World Cup is as follows:
1 Sat, 25 Oct 08 Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville England v PNG
2 Sun, 26 Oct 08 Canberra Stadium Euro A - 2 v France
3 Sun, 26 Oct 08 Sydney Football Stadium
Official Opening Ceremony Australia v NZ
4 Mon, 27 Oct 08 Parramatta Stadium Tonga v Euro A-1
5 Fri, 31 Oct 08 CUA Stadium, Penrith Repechage Winner v Tonga
6 Sat, 1 Nov 08 WIN Stadium, Wollongong Fiji v France
7 Sat, 1 Nov 08 Skilled Park, Gold Coast NZ v PNG
8 Sun, 2 Nov 08 Telstra Dome, Melbourne Australia v England
9 Wed, 5 Nov 08 Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast Euro A - 2 v Fiji
10 Wed, 5 Nov 08 Parramatta Stadium Euro A - 1 v Repechage Winner
11 Sat, 8 Nov 08 Browne Park, Rockhampton Pool (2-2) v (2-3)
12 Sat, 8 Nov 08 Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle England v NZ
13 Sun, 9 Nov 08 CUA Stadium, Penrith Pool (3-2) v (3-3)
14 Sun, 9 Nov 08 Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville PNG v Australia
15 Mon, 10 Nov 08 Skilled Park, Gold Coast Semi Final Qualifier Pool(1-2) v (1-3)
16 Sat, 15 Nov 08 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Semi Final (1)
17 Sun, 16 Nov 08 Sydney Football Stadium Semi Final (2)
18 Sat, 22 Nov 08 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane FINAL
More information about the Rugby League World Cup can be found at
www.rlwc08.comSun October 14, 2007- Kenny-Dowall added to Kiwis touring squad
Sun October 14, 2007- Junior Kiwis hold on for victory in Centenary Test curtain raiser
Sun October 14, 2007- Live Scores - New Zealand v Australia
Thu October 11, 2007- Stanley set to line up for Junior Kiwis
Thu October 11, 2007- Catch and keep the Kiwi Test ball
Tue October 9, 2007- Is Wellington the new Melbourne?
Mon October 8, 2007- Folau success highlights ARL/AIS program
Sun October 7, 2007- Six players to make debuts for Kiwis in Centenary Test
Sun October 7, 2007- Matai cleared to play in Centenary Test
Sat October 6, 2007- Johnson called in to replace injured Gallen
Thu October 4, 2007- Folau called up into Kangaroos squad (Hodges out)
Thu October 4, 2007- Matai available for Centenary Test, unavailable for UK Tour
Mon October 1, 2007- Smith named Australian Test captain