Lewis Brown admits the Kiwis were "rattled" after news of the north Canterbury earthquake filtered through to the camp ahead of this weekend's Four Nations final against Australia.
The utility says Monday morning's (NZT) final was far from the players' minds when news arrived of the damaging quake which struck close to midday on Sunday (UKT). The quake hit just before Australia and England met in London, a match which determined whether the Kiwis would qualify for the final in Liverpool.
The result went their way when Australia won but Brown revealed a lot of his team didn't watch the game, for various reasons. For some, it was because of the news unfolding at home, with concern over the continuing aftershocks.
"Obviously it's a bit close to home for us," Brown said. "The boys are a bit rattled. A few of them are from Wellington and some of them had families evacuated or friends who got evacuated."
Brown was born and raised in Christchurch and was quickly on the phone to family members.
