Media Summary Tuesday 04 November to Monday 10 November 2008
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TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board FROM: Cushla Dawson DATE: 10 November 2008 RE: Media Summary Tuesday 04 November to Monday 10 November 2008 Samoa want four-nations set up: Samoa coach John Ackland called upon rugby league's governing body to get serious about growing the international game, proposing an annual tournament with Tonga, Papua New Guinea and an Australia A side. Ackland said the Rugby League International Federation should not waste the potential the World Cup has delivered and increase the number of test matches with a tournament for the minnow nations. But he warned the southern hemisphere tournament would only work if an Australian A side was included. Courier loses World Cup as Australia roll on: The Australian juggernaut rolls on, and the only thing that can stop the Kangaroos from lifting the World Cup trophy on November 22 appears to be ... a Brisbane courier. Huh? Yes, on the night Australia pummelled the Kumuls, the World Cup trophy was missing, presumed to be in the hands of a courier who, also presumably, does not realise the significance of the precious cargo in their possession. Tension builds for Kiwis and 'disrespectful' England: A tense World Cup rugby league semifinal week in Brisbane looms after Kiwis captain Benji Marshall labelled England disrespectful and coach Stephen Kearney took aim at referee Tony Archer. The Kiwis were far from happy despite storming back from 8-24 down in the first half with five unanswered tries to beat England 36-24 in Newcastle and ensure second place in pool one. Barring a monumental upset by Papua New Guinea against Australia late tonight, a mouth-watering semifinal rematch looms on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium. Ground zero for under-fire league: A review into rugby league by the godfather of New Zealand business and sports administration, Sir John Anderson, argues for a "put a broom through the place", an insider says. Anderson was called in by the government four months ago to fix the mess at the New Zealand Rugby League and a report insider said his review committee is tipped to recommend sweeping changes to the game. Anderson was due to deliver a preliminary report last Wednesday. It's yet to arrive, mainly because of the depth of his investigation and the wide-ranging changes he will recommend. It's thought the report won't be made public until February. Haka boycott angers Kiwis: New Zealand's stand-in captain Benji Marshall accused England of being "disrespectful" by turning their backs on the haka. England's players huddled in a circle facing inwards while the Kiwis performed the traditional war dance before kick-off to the World Cup pool match at Newcastle today. New Zealand came from 24-8 down to win 36-24 - and Marshall, who led the side for the first time in the absence of Nathan Cayless, suggested that one of the reasons for their slow start was anger over their treatment by the opposition. England blink first after a quick Luke: Livewire hooker Issac Luke has sent a big `try-to-not-pick-me-now' message to coaches Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett ahead of this week's World Cup semifinal. Luke and four-try Manu Vatuvei were the catalysts for the Kiwis piling on 22 unanswered points in a stirring but ultimately worthless come-from-behind victory over England. While Vatuvei will take all the plaudits, Luke was instrumental in getting the Kiwis' beaks in front, milking a key penalty in front of the posts, kicking a couple of sideline conversions and generally harrying the English defence into error. Stacey Jones to make NRL comeback for Warriors: New Zealand rugby league great Stacey Jones will make a shock return to the New Zealand Warriors next season. Jones, 32, announced today he had come out of retirement and signed a one-year deal with the National Rugby League club he represented for 11 seasons. An approach by Warriors coach Ivan Cleary and a recent taste of top level football with the All Golds invitation team against New Zealand Maori in New Plymouth last month had convinced the playmaking halfback to make a return. Marshall to captain Kiwis: Standoff Benji Marshall has been named to lead the Kiwis in their final Rugby League World Cup pool match against England on Satruday 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. Anzac Clash First Up In Defence League World Cup: The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Rugby League team start with an Anzac clash when they compete in the Defence Forces Rugby League World Cup in Sydney this November. The NZDF and Australian Defence Force teams face off on Sunday 9 November in a World Cup curtain raiser to the France v Samoa game at CUA Stadium, Penrith. Young hooker seen as Kiwis' future: At yesterday's World Cup mayoral reception in Newcastle a bored Issac Luke took matters into his own hands, grabbing a platter of pastries and chocolate eclairs and serving them personally to the surprised suits. Not content with his work, Luke then produced some revealing photos on his iPhone of Kiwis hooking partner Nathan Fien dressed as a woman in a skirt and lipstick during the team's bonding session for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup. "A lot of the boys did it [dress up]," Luke chuckles. "I think Nathan Fien looked more like a girl than anyone. It was a crack up." Learning from his losses: A review of the Kiwis' record under new coach Stephen Kearney raises the question of what progress has been made since he took over the reins. The easy answer is "not much". They were walloped 28-12 in the Centenary test, out of the game early after allowing the Kangaroos some soft tries. They were beaten 30-6 in the World Cup opener. Victories have come over NZ Maori and Tonga in trial games and PNG in their second game of the 2008 Cup tournament - but so they should have. Few Kiwis remain after coaching coup: The last time the Kiwis met England's finest their tour was in crisis and while the 28-22 loss last year saved some face the result was an embarrassing 3-0 test series whitewash. Only three Kiwis from the side that played Great Britain in Wigan on November 10 will line up against England on Saturday, an illustration of the tumultuous nature of New Zealand rugby league. Simon Mannering, Jeremy Smith and Lance Hohaia are the only survivors, while coach Gary Kemble reluctantly fell on his sword after Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell - on interchange bench on Saturday - led a dramatic player revolt. Kidwell not ready to pack it in: Almost a year since he played a role in the Kiwis' rugby league coaching coup, David Kidwell will finally play a Test under the regime he risked his international career for. The veteran forward was recalled on Wednesday to the Kiwis bench for Saturday's final World Cup pool match against England in Newcastle, a dress rehearsal for a likely semi-final between the same sides a week later. Kidwell's 25th test appearance will be his first in two years, since the memorable 2006 Tri Nations final when the Kangaroos snuck home 16-12 in extra time. Scots win, Fiji progress to rugby league WC playoff: Fiji secured a semi-final playoff spot despite going down 18-16 to spirited Scotland in a torrid rugby league World Cup clash here on Wednesday. The committed Scots scored the winning try four minutes from full-time through prop Oliver Wilkes to claim their first-ever World Cup victory and in the process dislodged France from second place in Pool 2. The Fijians had the cushion of a thumping 42-6 opening victory over the French last Saturday and it proved beyond Scotland to come up with the 27-point win they needed to win their group and stay alive in the tournament. Australian company helps Rugby League: An Australian based sports marketing company has offered to provide assistance to the newly formed Solomon Islands Rugby League in its development process. Dane Campbell, Managing Director of Global League Management that deals with commercial matters on developing rugby league nations revealed this. “I’m hopeful to be able to put into contact with the Solomon Islands rugby league to offer our assistance to them in their development process,” he said.Chairman of the Solomon Islands Rugby League Federation (SIRLF), William Tuhaika, revealed to star sports yesterday they are happy this organisation offered assistance. Kiwis hand debut to Tuimavave: Prop Evarn Tuimavave will make his Test debut in the Kiwis' final World Cup pool match against England in Newcastle on Saturday night. The 24-year-old Warriors big man was named among a number of changes to the side that took a step up in form in a 48-6 defeat of Papua New Guinea after an opening 24-point hiding at the hands of Australia. Team want to prove their worth: England forwards Gareth Ellis and Kevin Sinfield are urging coach Tony Smith to give his World Cup flops a chance to redeem themselves. The Leeds Rhinos duo say the incumbent players are keen to play against New Zealand on Saturday to make amends for their 52-4 humiliation by Australia. Smith will be forced to make at least two changes for his side's final group match in Newcastle, with St Helens forwards Maurie Fa'asavalu and Jon Wilkin ruled out through injury.