Leuluai switched to hooker

Kiwis prefer Fien at scrum-half for semi-final showdown

Last updated: 13th November 2008

Leuluai switched to hooker

Leuluai: change of position

We've had plenty of competition for spots and that makes selection interesting but that's a good place to be in. There were some hard choices to make.

Stephen Kearney
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New Zealand have named Thomas Leuluai at hooker for the World Cup semi-final against England.

The Wigan player has played at scrum-half in all three of the Kiwis' pool matches but switches into the front-row for Saturday's knockout clash in Brisbane.

Leuluai's performances - by his own admission - have been below-par and coach Stephen Kearney has responded by bringing in Nathan Fien to partner stand-off Benji Marshall.

Kearney, who delayed naming his starting line-up until Thursday, also recalled four players who were rested for last Saturday's final group match, a 36-24 win over England.

Manu fit, Matai ruled out

Captain Nathan Cayless, winger Sam Perrett, front row forward Sam Rapira and second rower Sika Manu - who has overcome an eye injury - are all back in action.

Hooker Issac Luke has to settle for a place on the bench despite an outstanding display during the pool victory over England.

Simon Mannering, who plays his rugby for the Warriors in the second row, will be at centre in place of the injured Steve Matai.

"We've lost Steve which is a blow but Simon gives us a great replacement," said Kearney.

"He's such a reliable player, as we've seen throughout this campaign, and again in last week's match against England when he was forced to move to the centres.

"We've had plenty of competition for spots and that makes selection interesting but that's a good place to be in. There were some hard choices to make."

New Zealand: Lance Hohaia (NZ Warriors), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Jerome Ropati (NZ Warriors), Manu Vatuvei (NZ Warriors); Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Nathan Fien (NZ Warriors); Nathan Cayless (Parramatta, capt), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Adam Blair (Melbourne), Sika Manu (Melbourne), David Fa'alogo (South Sydney), Jeremy Smith (Melbourne)
Replacements: Issac Luke (South Sydney), Greg Eastwood (Brisbane), Bronson Harrison (Wests Tigers), Sam Rapira (NZ Warriors)