STEEDEN NEWS
October 2008 Archive
RLWC News
Thu 16 October 2008
Kiwis take on Tonga before departing for the World Cup.
Just to show how serious they are, the Kiwis are holding out for one last match against Tonga before heading to Australia on Sunday.
In what will be the last Test of any nation before the World Cup, New Zealand will play the team tipped to be a real tournament wildcard at 2.30pm on Saturday, October 18, at Mt Smart Stadium.
Head coach Stephen Kearney has already been joined by coaching and management advisor (and former Australian Coach) Wayne Bennett as the Kiwis plot their revenge for the Centenary Test.
The Kiwis have often claimed to being 'underdone' going into Tests against Australia, but not so this time.
The All Gold's match against the Maoris last week and this week's Test against Tonga are part of a structured build-up to the 2008 Rugby League World Cup Opening Ceremony.
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Tickets are selling now to all 2008 Rugby League World Cup events and fans are urged to book their seats for the crowning event of the game's Centenary celebrations in Australia.
The tournament features 18 matches at 12 different venues over 29 days.
Tournament partner Jetstar will fly fans across the country so everyone can enjoy the World Cup experience.
Check ticketing details now on www.rlwc08 to make sure you are part of an international Rugby League celebration.
Kangaroos RLWC News
Thu 16 October 2008
Amid all the arrivals, the Australian team is preparing to head into camp on Saturday.
After having had to replace both Michael Crocker and Justin Hodges before even gathering as a team, it's somehow appropriate that their first activity will involve a rescue party.
The Australians are joining 'nippers' at Coogee Beach in surf-lifesaving drills on Sunday morning.
Nippers are junior life-savers from five years of age to under 14's and the day is a chance for the defending World Cup Champions to ease their way back into full-time training.
Coach Ricky Stuart knows that things will hot up quickly soon after with the pressure building on a team overloaded with public expectation.
The opening Ceremony at the Sydney Football Stadium on October 26 will be the first real test for the Australians when they face the Kiwis.
The day will include a curtain-raiser between an Australian Indigenous team and the New Zealand Maoris as well as an official opening ceremony featuring Natalie Bassingthwaighte.
More than 125 countries have signed up to take telecasts of RLWC08 World Cup matches and Ricky Stuart will be determined to impress from the start.
The nature of the Super Pool format, with Australia, New Zealand, England and PNG in the one pool, is such that any slip up can spell disaster in terms of making the semi-finals.
Stuart knows only too well that New Zealand will go into the match thirsting for revenge after their disappointment in this year's Centenary Test.
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Tickets are selling now to all 2008 Rugby League World Cup events and fans are urged to book their seats for the crowning event of the game's Centenary celebrations in Australia.
The tournament features 18 matches at 12 different venues over 29 days.
Tournament partner Jetstar will fly fans across the country so everyone can enjoy the World Cup experience.
Check ticketing details now on www.rlwc08 to make sure you are part of an international Rugby League celebration.
