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Friday, November 11, 2011

League: Kiwis keen to breaking losing streak

Kiwis rugby league coach Stephen Kearney is only too well aware of the challenge his team faces against England in Sunday's Four Nations tournament-defining match at Hull's KC Stadium.

A win over England will see them through to the final against Australia on November 19.

The first two rounds of the Four Nations have left England on level pegging with New Zealand: both have defeated Wales and lost to Australia, and both have the same points difference.

Kearney hasalready stressed the magnitude of the challenge the defending champions are facing in their bid to make their second straight Four Nations final.

In their last 12 meetings on English soil since 2002, the Kiwis have lost nine, won two and drawn one.

New Zealand's last win in England came over Great Britain in the 2005 Tri Nations. Since then, they've had six straight losses including a 0-3 series whitewash by Great Britain in 2007.

Kearney's squad has been boosted by the availability of prop Fuifui Moimoi, who looks to have recovered from the ankle injury that limited him to just six minutes' play against Wales last week.

Moimoi trained fully with the Kiwis on Friday and remains in contention to line up against England. Kearney's game-day squad won't be revealed until close to kick-off.

Both the New Zealand and England teams will wear Remembrance Day poppies on their jerseys on Sunday.

The Kiwis interrupted training on Friday to observe two minutes silence at 11am, and seasoned international Thomas Leuluai says the team is proud to be wearing the poppies.

"It means a lot to me and to all of us... It's important for us to acknowledge those who suffered for us in the past whenever we can."

A minute's silence will be observed before the game begins on Sunday.


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