Rugby League: Aussies escape foul weather

HULL - Australia have pulled one over the Kiwis already, even before they meet in the rugby league World Cup final, as tipped by everyone, including the British bookies.

Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said the Kangaroos had returned from Spain after a few days' break from England's weather misery.

"Five weeks of this bad weather can get tedious and we feel the few days off they had in Spain will help to freshen them up. We are hoping it will be beneficial," Carr said.

While the Aussies have all had some respite from the appalling weather, the Kiwis trained solidly in rain on a sodden school field in Hull yesterday.

Three other training grounds were ruled out because they were under water.

Henry and Robbie Paul are tipped to play together in the quarter-final against France on Monday and Quentin Pongia should return to the pack.

Coach Frank Endacott will name his team tomorrow. All the squad are expected to be available for selection, including prop Pongia, who has had a niggling injury and missed the Wales game.

But Endacott said he would rest a few players who had played in every game so far.

"I see certain key areas that need to be changed and I might rest Stacey Jones, keeping in mind we have potentially two big games after France," Endacott said.

"Tasesa Lavea is tight in one of his calves so he might get a spell. I don't want to give away too much, but I have got a firm idea who I want to play in the halves. It could be Robbie and Henry Paul."

The tournament's top try-scorers, skipper Richie Barnett and winger Lesley Vainikolo, were likely to play given their form.

"The semifinal [probably against England] and final will certainly see our best line-up," Endacott said.

"The French match is the last throw of the dice before we stick to the best combination for the last two games."

The wet conditions have seemed to suit the Kiwis, who have scored 38 tries in their three games to date.

"But we haven't mentioned Australia," Endacott said. "No one in the camp is talking about them.

"The semis will be as tough as the final. I'll pick a side to beat France - that might not be the team that lines up in the semifinal.

"After this game I'll be absolutely crystal clear in what I'm looking at."

The French team trained indoors at Huddersfield yesterday.

- NZPA

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