Still seething over England’s haka snub, New Zealand today took aim at the Lions for not promoting the game on the eve of what shapes as a fiery Rugby League World Cup semi-final at Brisbane.
England coach Tony Smith has certainly done things his way and raised eyebrows again today when he made the surprise decision to make his team off limits to media.
New Zealand took it as another snub following England’s controversial reaction to the haka before their pool match at Newcastle last weekend.
“It’s the semi-final of a World Cup. We all have a duty to do the best for our game,” Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney said of Saturday night’s game.
Hardly the biggest fan of media commitments, New Zealand captain Nathan Cayless still fronted a press conference today – and believed England should have done the same.
“I think we do have a responsibility as players to promote the game,” he said.
“We do our interviews and all that sort of stuff, the boys are pretty happy to do it.
“But England have their own routines, and that’s the way they do it.”
Cayless was clearly still angry about England’s treatment of the haka last weekend when the Lions formed a huddle, effectively turning their backs.
The Kiwis reacted by coming back from 16 points down to put away England 36-24.
Smith hardly offered a peace pipe afterwards.
In an increasingly rare media appearance, Smith had a chop at New Zealand for encroaching on his team’s side of the field during the haka and even criticised the Maori practice of showing tongues.
England firebrand Adrian Morley – appearing at a promotion in Brisbane on Thursday – ruled out a repeat of the huddle.
But Cayless today all but dared England to do it again.
Asked how the Kiwis would react Cayless said ominously: “We will have to wait and see what happens.”
But Cayless said a snub would fire up New Zealand: “It probably will – we just ask for a bit of respect.”
Kearney hoped there would not be a repeat of last weekend’s heated pre-match scenes.
“The leadership group have spoken about it and they will do the right thing,” he said.
Morley said of the haka snub: “We didn’t go out to create a storm – we’ve got respect for the haka.
“We felt we needed to get into a huddle and reconfirm a few of our points rather than stand there wasting time – but it was by no means disrespectful.”
Smith has further frustrated New Zealand by naming a 19-strong squad for the game – then conceding different players may run out tomorrow night.
Form winger Ade Gardner and Leeds dangerman Danny McGuire were not named but are tipped to play while there are injury clouds over fullback Paul Wellens (ankle) and playmaker Leon Pryce (ribs).
“Names like (Jamie) Peacock, Morley, (Keith) Senior and young talent like (James) Graham, I know what to expect – we are under no illusions,” Kearney said of England.
“I won’t be fooled by anything that is going on. I am clear on what we are up against.”
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