Kiwis delay naming line-up

Kearney: mulling his options

We'll name it when we're ready. It's got nothing to do with England. It's more how we are thinking and what we think is going to work for us on Saturday night.

Stephen Kearney
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New Zealand have followed England's lead and delayed picking their starting line-up for Saturday's World Cup semi-final.

Coach Stephen Kearney is in no hurry to reveal his hand after England counterpart Tony Smith named a 19-man squad that did not include Ade Gardner or Danny McGuire.

Smith's selection is subject to change as England are waiting on injuries to Leon Pryce and Paul Wellens - it remains possible that both Gardner and McGuire could start at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

"We'll name it when we're ready," said Kearney. "It's got nothing to do with England.

"It's more how we are thinking and what we think is going to work for us on Saturday night."

Confidence

Kearney rested captain Nathan Cayless, right winger Sam Perrett and prop Sam Rapira for last Saturday's final group game against England, which they won 36-24.

Centre Krisnan Inu, second rower Setaimata Sa and utility player Dene Halatau also sat the game out while second rower Sika Manu was sidelined with an eye injury.

Manu is back in contention but centre Steve Matai has been ruled out with a neck injury.

Winger Manu Vatuvei goes into his 15th Test seeking to continue an impressive try-scoring run this year.

With his World Cup record-equalling four tries against England last weekend, the 22-year-old has scored 22 tries in 21 top-level matches this year - 16 in 17 NRL games for the New Zealand Warriors, four in three Tests for the Kiwis and two for the All Golds against New Zealand Maori.