Nz Favourite Against England

The Age

Friday November 7, 2008

Stathi Paxinos

NEW ZEALAND and England have been swapping the tag of second favourite for rugby league's World Cup based on the ineptitude of their performances against Australia.

First, it was NZ that was humbled 30-6 and then England, which had struggled to overcome a feisty Papua New Guinea in the opening game, was humiliated 52-4.

The two teams now square off tomorrow in Newcastle in what is a likely dress rehearsal for one of next week's semi-finals.

With NZ notching a 48-6 win over Papua New Guinea last week, it goes into the game as $1.67 favourite. England is at $2.20. Both teams will be resting players, obviously with their eyes on meeting again next week.

Only an improbable and a big win by Papua New Guinea over Australia, which is resting several of its top players, and a lopsided result to either team tomorrow, with England the most at risk, would upset the natural order of things.

NZ has retained Thomas Leuluai and Benji Marshall as its halves combination and Nathan Fien as starting hooker.

England has James Roby, James Graham and Ade Gardner, while Maurie Fa'asavalu and Jon Wilkin are out injured.

Both teams have a lot to prove in that either can provide a challenge to Australia, which has looked a class above, but the New Zealanders should be too strong for England.

MARKETS

$1.67 New Zealand

$2.20 England