New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney says his side will have to work on short comings
While talking to reporters on Friday, October 21, New Zealand coach, Stephen Kearney, acknowledged that his side has to improve on their recent disappointing record on English soil in order to successfully defend their Four Nations title.
New Zealand has a long history of unsuccessful matches in England, with all three Test lost by them against Great Britain in 2007. In 2008, they again lost to the English side which had kept them from reaching the Four Nations’ spots in the last two years.
While recalling his past bad experience, the Kiwi coach added, "The last two times over here weren't too successful for us. The side England has put together is probably the strongest I have seen for quite some time.”
The entire Kiwis outfit has arrived in Liverpool ahead of Friday's inaugural game of the Four Nations against Australia at Warrington.
The coach also talked about the configuration of his side, with the inclusion of high profile players such as Jack Reed, Chris Heighington, Rangi Chase and Benji Marshall.
Marshall commented on his side’s strength and added, “England will be very dangerous. They're really growing as a side and have a lot of strike power in their backs. I've got some friends playing for them, two from my club team (Wests Tigers forwards Gareth
Ellis and Heighington) and one I used to play with in Rangi Chase. I'm really excited for them."
Chase’s inclusion in the English squad has added to the overall excitement and prospects of the players for their upcoming matches. New Zealand veteran, Jason Nightingale, also speaks highly of Chase as the two have shared a two-year stint from 2007-2008
at St. George Illawarra.
Nightingale said that there is a spark to his personality which will really help his side in winning future games. He further went on and added that with the potential X factor for his side, there is a lot more for them that can be achieved.
Marshall also admitted that after their 42-6 defeat against the Australian side in Newcastle last Sunday, the entire Kiwi squad have gelled together strongly.
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