Pool A
England 24 l. New Zealand Kiwis 36

2008 World Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: International > Nations > First Grade Competition: World Cup

England scuppered by Kiwi comeback
Sun November 9, 2008
Source: www.englandrl.co.uk

Hapless England were left with more worries ahead of next week's World Cup semi-final with New Zealand after letting slip a 24-8 lead against the same opponents in their final group match.

Blockbusting winger Manu Vatuvei punished some slipshod defence on the right flank to score four tries - a World Cup record for a Kiwi - as the New Zealand gained a psychological advantage ahead of Saturday's clash in Brisbane.

England looked to have recovered from last week's 52-4 humiliation at the hands of Australia when two tries in the first eight minutes from Mickey Higham and Rob Burrow gave them a dream start.

The big England following in the 15,145 crowd at Newcastle's Energy Australia Stadium were still celebrating after half an hour when further tries from Burrow and Martin Gleeson, all converted by Rob Purdham, saw their side open up a 16-point lead.

But the temporary loss of Paul Wellens caused untold disruption to England's defence and Paul Sykes, one of six new faces in Tony Smith's line-up, became a third full-back of the match before being finally withdrawn from the firing line.

The introduction of substitute hooker Issac Luke rejuvenated the Kiwis and, with acting captain Benji Marshall and Lance Hohaia pulling the strings, they punished gaping holes in England's right-sided defence.

Vatuvei was the chief beneficiary, going past Robbie Paul and Lesley Vainikolo's record of three tries in a World Cup match, while Hohaia and Jason Nightingale also touched down as New Zealand scored 28 points without reply.

Smith had made no fewer than six changes for the game but he was left with yet more questions after another infuriating second-half collapse.

England v New Zealand Post Match on England TV

Source: www.englandrl.co.uk


Marshall To Captain Kiwis Against England
Fri November 7, 2008
Source: New Zealand Rugby League

Standoff Benji Marshall has been named to lead the Pirtek Kiwis in their final Rugby League World Cup pool match against England at EnergyAustralia Stadium tomorrow night.

With tournament captain Nathan Cayless being rested for this game, coach Stephen Kearney has handed the 23-year-old Marshall the responsibility in what will be the seventh international of his career.

When Cayless missed the October 18 test against Tonga in Auckland, Kearney had Melbourne back rower Jeremy Smith as captain for the day.

"It's a tremendous honour leading your country and it's a great chance for Benji to take on the task," said Kearney.

"He's in our senior leadership group for this campaign and deserves this chance. He has taken on a lot of responsibility ever since we've been in camp."

Marshall will be the fourth captain used at test level since long-serving leader Ruben Wiki retired from international football in 2006. Roy Asotasi was his successor while Cayless, Smith and now Marshall have followed.


World Cup
Pirtek Kiwis V England
Energyaustralia Stadium, Newcastle
8.00pm, Saturday, November 8, 2008

Pirtek Kiwis

1 Lance Hohaia (Vodafone Warriors)
2 Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra)
3 Steve Matai (Manly)
4 Jerome Ropati (Vodafone Warriors)
5 Manu Vatuvei (Vodafone Warriors)
6 Benji Marshall (C) (Wests Tigers)
7 Thomas Leuluai (Wigan)
8 Adam Blair (Melbourne)
9 Nathan Fien (Vodafone Warriors)
10 Evarn Tuimavave (Vodafone Warriors)
11 Simon Mannering (Vodafone Warriors)
12 David Fa'alogo (South Sydney)
13 Jeremy Smith (Melbourne)

Interchange:
14 Issac Luke (South Sydney)
15 Greg Eastwood (Brisbane)
16 Bronson Harrison (Wests Tigers)
17 David Kidwell (South Sydney)

Coach: Stephen Kearney

Wed November 5, 2008
• Tuimavave Called Up For Debut In Kiwis' Clash
  

Advanced Search