In a big blow for the New Zealand team, Frank Pritchard has been left out of the Kiwi’s World Cup final squad due to injury.
Pritchard has been battling a hamstring injury for the last couple of weeks. He was absent in the Kiwi’s semi final win over England. His size, mobility and ball playing ability would have caused Australia all sorts of headaches. He is a big loss.
In better news for New Zealand, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Manu Vatuvei will both line up in the Kiwi’s side after both overcome niggling injuries.
There are four members of New Zealands triumphant 2008 World Cup winning side named in the 19 man squad named by Stephen Kearney. It is a very big side that is a little more settled than Australia’s squad has been during this World Cup campaign.
Importantly for New Zealand their halves combination has been settled throughout the World Cup. Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran have been sensational for New Zealand with Johnson making his mark as one of the highest point scorers in Rugby League World Cup history.
Issac Luke has been one of the players of the tournament and on the back of a brilliant Kiwi forward pack he has caused problems for every single team he has faced.
The New Zealand 19 man squad for the 2013 World Cup Final:
Simon Mannering (capt), Jesse Bromwich, Greg Eastwood, Kieran Foran, Alex Glenn, Bryson Goodwin, Shaun Johnson, Sam Kasiano, Kevin Locke, Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Jason Nightingale, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala, Elijah Taylor, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Manu Vatuvei, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dean Whare, Sonny Bill Williams.
