9 Nov 2011

Kearney won't name team until day of match

11:29 am on 9 November 2011

The Kiwis rugby league coach Stephen Kearney is expected to wait until the day of the match before confirming his line-up for their sudden-death Four Nations clash against England in Hull.

With prop Sam McKendry ruled out of the tournament after breaking his jaw against Wales last weekend, Kearney says the other 22 players all remain in contention for the match which will decide who meets Australia in the final.

Australian Matt Cecchin will referee the game... he controlled the Kiwis' clash against Wales at Wembley, a match which finished with a lopsided 9-3 penalty count in the Welsh side's favour.

Welsh forward Craig Kopczak, the man who ended McKendry's tournament with a dangerous tackle, has escaped a one-match ban and been warned... allowing him to play against Australia this weekend.