League: Kiwis keep watch on shoulders

Reporter·NZ Herald·

10 Nov, 2014 04:00 PM3 mins to read

Tohu Harris charges forward during the Four Nations match between the New Zealand Kiwis and England at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Photo / Getty Images

Injuries to Leuluai, Harris a worry for coach Kearney ahead of final.

The Kiwis continue to sweat on shoulder injuries to Thomas Leuluai and Tohu Harris before they confirm their side to take on the Kangaroos in Saturday night's Four Nations final.

Both players will continue to be monitored over the next 24 hours as coach Stephen Kearney looks to make his selections for the Westpac Stadium encounter, with both teams due to be named late this afternoon.

Kearney has hinted the injuries could open the door for outside back utility Gerard Beale to make a return, after he played on the left wing in the Kiwis' first-up win over Australia in Brisbane, but was giving little away.

"The couple of shoulder complaints have opened up an opportunity, Gerard Beale played a part in the first match we had and it's just a matter of what we think is going to be best for the group this week and we'll make that decision [today]."

Kiwis right centre Dean Whare was wearing a moon boot on Sunday, following Saturday night's gruelling win over England in Dunedin, but Kearney said it was just a precautionary measure.

"He's fine and he should be right to train [today]. It was just precautionary."

The Kiwis watched Sunday's final round-robin game between Australia and Samoa at their Wellington hotel and were impressed with the world champion Kangaroos' efficient 44-18 victory in Wollongong.

"It was around dinner time and we had that set up in the dinner room. We watched it and we weren't surprised with what we saw. Australia were pretty clinical in their display so that's something we'll be aware of for this week."

Kearney dismissed questions from Australian media who have been quick to declare the Kiwis favourites for Saturday's clash despite the fact their 30-12 win over the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium was their first transtasman victory since the 2010 Four Nations final.

"Well that's the tag you've given us, so we don't buy into that too much. From our point of view, it's all about our preparation. If we can do that then it gives us a great opportunity on Saturday night to perform well.

"Favourites, underdogs it doesn't matter, we're just focused on preparing."

Today will also see confirmation of the match officials to control the final, with England's Phil Bentham, who controlled the Kiwis' clash against England, and Australia's Gerard Sutton, who took charge in Sunday's game at WIN Stadium, considered the frontrunners.

The pair have contrasting styles, with Bentham exercising a more relaxed approach to the 10m and the confrontational nature of test football, while Sutton will keep the teams well apart and police the game more in line with NRL standards.

Kearney declined the chance to campaign for a neutral referee and while he was satisfied with Bentham's performance at Forsyth Barr Stadium, insisted he had no preference over which official would win the appointment.

"No, not really. [Bentham was] no better or worse than the week before to be fair," said the coach.

"It's an unenviable task but again I'm not bothered at all."