League: Positive vibe from Kiwis' camp

Kiwis vs Toa Samoa. Photo / John Stone

Northlanders who woke up yesterday with croaky voices will be pleased to know it wasn't all in vain, Kiwis captain Simon Mannering saying he was well aware of the Toll Stadium crowd's presence.

Mannering said the atmosphere had been great to play in front of and felt the crowd's presence was a positive sign for rugby league in Northland, and New Zealand.

"[The Kiwis' team] could hear the chants going on for the Kiwis and Samoa," he said at the post-game press conference on Saturday.

"I think it was great for the game. I don't know if it was a sell-out or not but it was a great turn-out. All week there has been a bit of a buzz around.

"I think it's a real positive sign for rugby league in New Zealand if we can come out to these more rural places and get a turn-out like that."

Kiwis' coach Stephen Kearney echoed Mannering's thoughts, saying it was a bumper crowd who got in behind the game.

Kearney added it showed Northlanders were passionate about the game and were given an entertaining match-up that reflected a real test match.

However, Kearney said he was glad his team stuck to the process and managed to come away with the win.