Kiwis Head into RLWC Quarter-Finals Unbeaten

Kiwis Head into RLWC Quarter-Finals Unbeaten

Leeds, England, November 8, 2013 – The Kiwis head into the knock-out stages of the Rugby League World Cup with three wins behind them, after beating Papua New Guinea tonight (UK-time) 56-10 in their final pool match in Leeds.

The game, at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, was played in front of a crowd of 18,180. They saw the Kiwis come charging out of the blocks to lead 24-0 after 15mins and 40-0 by halftime. Sonny Bill Williams, who was named Man of the Match, had three tries by the break and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had two. Tuivasa-Sheck is now the equal-top try-scorer in the tournament with four, having scored in each of the Kiwis’ pool matches.

"I was pleased with the performance, or certain parts of the performance,'' said the Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney. “I thought the lads started really well and what we worked on all week, about being really focused and disciplined about our performance, they were certainly that.

"With the second half, we made a few changes at halftime and that probably threw the mix of the group a little bit. I didn't think the second half was so good, but it was pretty difficult when you get to that type of scoreline.''

One of the main talking points going into the game was the late inclusion of Thomas Leuluai. He replaced Greg Eastwood on the bench and took the field in the second half. But he was tested for speed early by Papua New Guinea and his groin didn’t respond as he’d have liked. He was on the field for only 4mins before limping off and perhaps out of the tournament.

"It doesn't look good for him, but we will see how things pan out,'' said Kearney. "It's a real shame for him because I know he would have added a great deal to the group.''

Speaking of the group, it’ll be entertaining to see how Josh Hoffman and Bryson Goodwin interact over the next couple of days in camp. In the second half, a Hoffman chip kick for Goodwin didn’t quite work, with Goodwin catching the ball a spilt second before receiving a flying PNG defender in his ribs.

Hoffman was one of a few Kiwis nursing knocks at the end of the game. He was feeling his shoulder, while Manu Vatuvei had a knee issue. Vatuvei didn’t return to the field after the first half, but that was more a precautionary move.

The Kiwis wore white arm bands in the match in memory of Charlie McBride (Kiwi #296) who died in Greymouth on November 7, aged 88 years. McBride, who represented the West Coast, played 64 games for the Kiwis, including 21 tests, from 1946-1952.

The Kiwis will focus on their recovery from the game over the weekend. They’ll also keep a close eye on the Italy vs Tonga match on Sunday, as that will determine whether the Kiwis play Scotland or Italy in the RLWC2013 quarter-finals back at Headingley on Friday, November 15 (UK-time).

ENDS

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