Rugby League: Burglars steal Kiwi pair's belongings

LONDON - The hotel room of New Zealand rugby league players Stacey Jones and Henry Paul was burgled just hours after the Kiwis arrived at their World Cup base in Gloucester.

Jones and Paul were out having a meal with other team members when their room was broken into.

Team management said a window was smashed to gain entry to the room. Among the items stolen was Jones' passport, cellphone and items from a back pack. Paul lost his collection of CDs.

New Zealand team management had photocopied all the players' passports and Jones is expected to get a new passport before he returns home.

The Kiwis had their first training session yesterday and coach Frank Endacott will name his team today to play Lebanon in their opening cup match on Monday. The Lebanese rate New Zealand highly, but are not put off by their opponents.

Only minutes after stepping off a plane after a 26-hour flight from Sydney, Lebanese captain Hazem El Masri said his side were ready to upset the New Zealanders.

The Lebanese team, made up of Sydney-based players, are expected to provide little more than a practice match for the New Zealanders.

But El Masri, the Bulldogs' fullback, said his team were ready to give the Kiwis a scare.

"We'll definitely be fired up, no questions," El Masri said. "New Zealand first-up certainly won't be easy, but we will be playing with a lot of passion and we will be giving it our all."

The Lebanese are coached by former Sydney first-grader John Elias.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Maori coach Cameron Bell has named his strongest possible side to play Scotland in their opening match, in Glasgow on Monday.

Included are captain Tawera Nikau, vice-captain Gene Ngamu, winger Sean Hoppe and rangy forward Tyrone Smith.

NZ Maori: Clinton Toopi, Odell Manuel, Toa Kohe-Love, David Kidwell, Sean Hoppe, Gene Ngamu (vice-captain), Hare Terangi, Paul Rauhihi, Henry Perenara, Terry Hermansson, Wairangi Koopu, Tyrone Smith, Tawera Nikau (captain). Res: Martin Moana, Chris Nahi, Kylie Leuluai, Tahi Reihana.

- NZPA