For all the reputation, power and presence of the Kiwis team, I was not impressed with their overall performance in their encounter against a fragile, albeit enthusiastic, French outfit.

The Kiwis' greatest opponent in this World Cup could be the weight of expectation.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney was happy with the defence after the 48-0 win over France in the World Cup yesterday.

It has been Stephen Kearney's main concern over the last few years, and on the evidence of the past week, continues to be the Kiwis' Achilles heel.

Rotation is understandable but the Kiwis' imperfect 48-0 win over France yesterday raised the issue of whether, in a short tournament, it might have been better to foster combinations.

As the son of Kiwis great James Leuluai, Thomas Leuluai has spent his life trying to meet expectations.

Australia now have a free passage to the final after their win over England at the weekend. But it won't do them any favours, writes Richie Barnett.

The withdrawal of Thomas Leuluai from the side to face France tomorrow morning (NZT) is a blow for the Kiwis but it gives Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran another chance to develop their relationship in the halves.

Eden Park will be at near capacity for the inaugural Auckland's NRL Nines tournament judging by current ticket sales, organisers predict.

It was a moment which encapsulated New Zealand's performance against Samoa and left Sonny Bill Williams embarrassed.

Sonny Bill Williams will play his first test for the Kiwis in five years when they open their World Cup campaign against Samoa on Monday morning (NZT).

Billy Slater insists bad memories of Australia's shock defeat to New Zealand in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup final will have no influence at the looming 2013 tournament.

A snake was found inside the New Zealand Rugby League World Cup squad's training base at Narrabeen, much to the surprise of the players,including Sonny Bill Willams. Alex Glenn (misfit4) posted the action to Instagram.

Some might call it the miracle at Lang Park. It's slightly more than 30 years since the historic night in Brisbane when the Kiwis shocked one of the best Australian sides of all time.

The first thing Sonny Bill Williams will do when he gets into camp with the Kiwis tomorrow is address the squad and talk about what has happened, writes Richie Barnett.

Herald scribes Andrew Alderson and Michael Brown discuss what should SBW be doing?. Sonny Bill Williams has said he changed his mind about playing in the World Cup after having some time to think about how much representing New Zealand really meant to him.

With another NRL grand final winners' medal in his possession, Sonny Bill Williams appears to be on the brink of announcing a return to rugby.