The Kiwis hope to circumnavigate UK authorities and have appealed to Drug Free Sport NZ to treat Thomas Leuluai's groin injury with a drug the UK Anti-Doping agency prohibited them from using.

I'm convinced size will play a big part in winning this World Cup and that's one thing the Kiwis have a lot of, writes Richie Barnett.

Until the weekend I was wedged somewhere between ambivalence and bemusement when it came to the Rugby League World Cup.

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

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).

Sonny Bill Williams says he will take a "swagger'' into his performances for the Kiwis at the Rugby League World Cup.

At the start of this year, Andrew Fifita set up a whiteboard in his kitchen and wrote down three goals for 2013 - but the one thing he didn't even dare to dream about was playing for Australia at the World Cup.

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.

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.