Rugby League World Cup 2013: Leuluai to miss out for Kiwis

Rugby League World Cup

• Dates: 26 October to 30 November
  

Coverage: Watch England’s group matches and Wales v Italy, plus one quarter-final, one semi-final and the final live on BBC TV, online, mobiles and Connected TVs. Listen to every match live on BBC Radio 5 or 5 live sports extra

Former Wigan half-back Thomas Leuluai will miss New Zealand’s World Cup title defence opener against Samoa at Warrington on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who now plays with New Zealand Warriors, has been struggling with a groin injury.

He has not trained properly for the Kiwis’ opening game as they bid to retain the title they won in 2008.

Coach Stephen Kearney has opted for Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson as his half-back pairing.

Sonny Bill Williams is set to make his international rugby league return and bid to become the first man to win a World Cup in both codes after helping the All Blacks win the union equivalent in 2011.

But Kearney says his side are not struggling with the pressure of any additional expectation through being holders.

“The last time we beat Australia was in 2010, which was three years ago,” he said. “And the time before that was five years ago. So it’s a long time since.

“For us, we understand what is ahead of us so any pressure will be from within. We have 24 guys who are all fairly talented and will be challenging themselves to get one of the 17 jumpers.

“This is our third trip to England as a group and they are all getting better for the experience. My focus is to keep that going and get us right for our first match.”

Leuluai’s former Wigan team-mate Harrison Hansen, Samoa’s newly appointed captain, is hopeful of being fit after picking up a leg injury in last Saturday’s 52-16 defeat by England Knights.

Samoa, who failed to make it out of the group stage in 2008, will also be without centre Tim Lafai, who was given a one-match ban for punching in the match against the Knights.

New Zealand:


Josh Hoffman; Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dean Whare, Bryson Goodwin, Manu Vatuvei; Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson; Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Issac Luke, Jesse Bromwich; Frank Pritchard, Sonny Bill Williams; Simon Mannering (capt).
Interchange:


Elijah Taylor, Sam Kasiano, Sam Moa, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala, Greg Eastwood, Ben Matulino

Samoa:


Leeson Ah Mau, David Fa’alogo, Pita Godinet, Harrison Hansen, Joseph Leilua, Reni Maitua, Penani Manumalealii, Mose Masoe, Suaia Matagi, Anthony Milford, Junior Moors, Ben Roberts, Junior Sa’u, Iosia Soliola, Sauaso Sue, Mark Taufua, Daniel Vidot, Antonio Winterstein, Frank Winterstein

Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/focus-rugby-welsh-regions-face-6137964

Rugby League World Cup 2013: Leuluai to miss out for Kiwis