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.

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

The Kiwis have opened their rugby league World Cup campaign with a stuttering 42-24 win over a brave Samoan side in Warrington in a eight tries to five victory.

Live updates of the Kiwis opening rugby league World Cup match against Samoa in Warrington.

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).

Stephen Kearney had little more than five months to prepare for the last World Cup, so five years must feel like an eternity.

Sonny Bill Williams stands at the gates of sporting immortality. His legend may never die if he can achieve all that he hopes in the next three years.

Three greats of the modern era could finish their careers without achieving the pinnacle of international league, if favourites Australia once again fail on the World Cup stage.

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.

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.

The Hawkes Bay-based parents of dumped Kiwis league player Tohu Harris yesterday cancelled their flights to the World Cup.

The axing of Tohu Harris a day after his selection, for sport's No 1 narcissist Sonny Bill Williams, is disgusting, writes Chris Rattue.

Things are never straightforward when it comes to Sonny Bill Williams and the 28-year-old did a U-turn on his decision to skip the World Cup.

Often contenders but hardly ever defenders: that is the story of New Zealand on league's international stage. Not this time, however, with the Kiwis and coach Steve Kearney about to embark on their World Cup defence.

Light on backs, heavy on forwards. That would be my pick for the World Cup squad, with backrowers Alex Glenn and Simon Mannering offering cover in the centres.