Sonny Bill Williams has been challenged to a swimming race by an unlikely contender - a child from Auckland.

The Kiwis came into the World Cup believing they had the best forward pack. They probably still do, but they were outplayed by a committed England pack last weekend.

This year's Anzac test followed a well-worn script as Australia continued their dominance in the one-off match into a 15th year.

There are different theories within the Kiwis camp about where they might hold an advantage over Australia in this weekend's World Cup final.

As a youngster growing up on the Hibiscus Coast, Shaun Johnson was like a lot of children who used to dream about scoring the winning try for his country on the biggest stage.

The Kiwis pulled off a World Cup stunner to sneak past England but their last-gasp semifinal win at Wembley doesn't give huge confidence for the final against Australia.

As Sonny Bill Williams emerged from the dressing room after New Zealand's epic win over England, the toll was obvious.

New Zealand Herald rugby league writers answer three key questions from the Kiwis' thrilling last minute semi final win over England this morning at the World Cup.

The Kiwis' defence of the World Cup continues, thanks to a last minute stroke of brilliance by Shaun Johnson.

Kevin Locke has spent a lot of time thinking and talking about Sam Tomkins this year but, now he has the chance to finally square up to the player who will take his coveted No1 jersey.

It's often said you can't win without a good halves pairing and this rugby league World Cup has highlighted just how true that is.

Sunday morning's World Cup semifinal between England and New Zealand is being billed as a battle of the heavyweights.

The Kiwis haven't beaten their World Cup semfinal opponents at home since 2005.