The 2008 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia was a tour by the New Zealand national rugby league team to compete at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. New Zealand came second in Group A of the tournament before winning their semi-finals against England and defeating Australia 34–20 in the final to win the World Cup for the first time.
Background
Alongside Australia and France, New Zealand had competed at all twelve previous World Cups. New Zealand finished runner up in 1988 and 2000.
The thirteenth World Cup was scheduled to be held in Australia in 2004, however the lack of international success by Great Britain and New Zealand after the 2000 World Cup and the rise of the Tri-Nations tournament meant that it was delayed for a further four years. The Rugby League International Federation officially announced this tournament on 6 May 2006, with further details on scheduling and dates following on 19 April 2007.
After the 2000 tournament, international football had focused on three Tri-Nations tournaments held between 2004 and 2006. New Zealand won the 2005 tournament but finished third in 2004 and second in 2006. New Zealand also lost 0–3 to Great Britain during the 2007 All Golds Tour and had not defeated Australia since the 2005 Tri-Nations tournament.
New Zealand was granted automatic entry into the World Cup.
Build up
Following the losses on the 2007 All Golds Tour Gary Kemble was fired as the New Zealand head coach, with Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell leading a public campaign to replace him. Kemble was replaced by Stephen Kearney as head coach and Wayne Bennett as assistant coach.
In Kearney's first match in charge, the New Zealand Kiwis played the annual ANZAC test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 9 May 2008, losing 12–28. New Zealands squad was; Brent Webb (Leeds), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Setaimata Sa (Sydney Roosters), Iosia Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Sam Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Lance Hohaia (New Zealand), Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Roy Asotasi (captain - South Sydney), Isaac Luke (South Sydney), Nathan Cayless (Parramatta), Sonny Bill Williams (Canterbury), Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors) and David Fa'alogo (South Sydney). Bench: Jeremy Smith (Melbourne), Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers), Adam Blair (Melbourne) and Frank Pritchard (Penrith).
During the 2008 NRL season, Sonny Bill Williams left the Canterbury Bulldogs and joined a French rugby union side, becoming unavailable for the Kiwis at the World Cup. Despite this, he was still named in the Kiwis training squad.
Staff
Head Coach: Stephen Kearney
Assistant Coach: Wayne Bennett
Squad
Training squad
New Zealand selectors named 47 NRL players and two from the Super League in a 49-man training squad.
Fraser Anderson, Roy Asotasi, Adam Blair, Nathan Cayless, Rangi Chase, Anthony Cherrington, Greg Eastwood, David Fa'alogo, Sonny Fai, Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Bronson Harrison, Weller Hauraki, Lance Hohaia, Krisnan Inu, Masada Iosefa, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, David Kidwell, Thomas Leuluai, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Manase Manuokafoa, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Ben Matulino, Fui Fui Moimoi, Jason Nightingale, Eddie Paea, Sam Perrett, Frank Pritchard, Sam Rapira, Ben Roberts, Jerome Ropati, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith, Iosia Soliola, Chase Stanley, Fetuli Talanoa, Taulima Tautai, Lee Te Maari, Ben Te'o, Taniela Tuiaki, Evarn Tuimavave, Manu Vatuvei, Cooper Vuna, Brent Webb, Sonny Bill Williams.
Final squad
1 Replaced originally named Iosia Soliola who withdrew due to injury on 21 October.
2 Replaced originally named Brent Webb and Jeff Lima who withdrew due to injury on 7 October.
Fixtures
Warm up matches
The New Zealand national rugby league team played two matches in New Zealand. As the All Golds they played a match against the New Zealand Māori in New Plymouth. They also defeated Tonga in a test match in Auckland.
World Cup Group A
Australia
Before this match an opening ceremony for the tournament was held.