New Zealand Kiws vs Samoa
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New Zealand Kiws vs Samoa
Big match a test for region
This time next week, the Kiwi and Samoan rugby league teams will be preparing for their Four Nations match at Toll Stadium, which will bring $3.8 million to the Northland economy.
With Northland - and Toll Stadium - essentially on trial for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, next Saturday's test is not only important to the region economically but also Northland league fans.
If the region puts on a good show, there is the possibility of hosting a World Cup game, which would in turn bring another estimated $3.8 million - excluding global television perks.
Whangarei District Council economic development manager Peter Gleeson said the Kiwis versus Samoa test compared well to other international sporting events that come to Northland.
He said the Rally of Whangarei usually brought about $2.8 million worth of value before global television screening, which balloons the value to about $5.8 million if included, so the rugby league clash was a valuable fixture to have.
"With these major events, it's basically around the competitors taking part, which then attract spectators who then spend," Gleeson told the Advocate. "I guess it's easier with the Kiwis, because of the ticket sales we can narrow it down to crowd numbers whereas with the rally the spectators can be on the roadside and not necessarily paying to be there."
He added that the expectation was for a crowd of about 18,000 at Toll Stadium for the 4pm kick-off next Saturday.
Venues and Events Whangarei manager John Lynch said preparations were in full flight and ticket sale indications were good.
"The grandstand is completely sold out and general admission sales are really strong too," he said. "We're probably a good half sold heading in a week out, and I'd expect it to be really strong sales in the next week.
"The long-range weather forecast is for a nice sunny day with a light breeze so it's looking good, if you can trust a weatherman eight days out."
He added that the likelihood of a sell-out crowd would also make for a better atmosphere than some of the bigger stadiums, which could be half full.
"It's about trying to get these high-profile flagship-type teams up here, and the Kiwis are definitely that when it comes to rugby league," Lynch said. "This Four Nations game is a big opportunity for us to prove ourselves to New Zealand Rugby League, to show we've got a state-of-the-art stadium with all the home comforts. Effectively we're on trial.
"We need bums on seats and people buying tickets if we are to have a chance of hosting anything with the World Cup."
Lynch said hosting a Kiwis international match was another tick in the box for Toll Stadium as a multi-sport venue, which it was set up to be.
New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Phil Holden was in town earlier this year to check the facilities, saying he felt Whangarei was a possible host for future international games.
"We've definitely got eyes to the World Cup in 2017, which we are co-hosting, and that was part of our view of taking the Four Nations games [around] to demonstrate they can work outside of Auckland."
Tickets for next week's test can be purchased from the Ticketek office at Forum North or online at ticketek.co.nz. Tickets range from $10-$50.
On the day
- Gates Open: 1:15pm
- NZ 16s v Toa Samoa 16s, 1.30pm
- Northland Champion Schools final, 3pm
- Kiwis v Toa Samoa, 4pm
- Finish, 5:30pm
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
NEW ZEALAND V SAMOA - SAT 1 NOVEMBER, 4:00PM (LOCAL), TOLL STADIUM
New Zealand
1 Peta Hiku
2 Jason Nightingale
3 Dean Whare
4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Kieran Foran
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Jesse Bromwich
9 Issac Luke
10 Adam Blair
11 Simon Mannering (c)
12 Kevin Proctor
13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14 Lewis Brown
15 Suaia Matagi
16 Martin Taupau
17 Tohu Harris
18 Bodene Thompson
Coach: Stephen Kearney
Samoa
1 Tim Simona
2 Antonio Winterstein
3 Tim Lafai
4 Joey Leilua
5 Daniel Vidot
6 Ben Roberts
7 Kyle Stanley
8 Isaac Liu
9 Pita Godinet
10 David Fa'alogo (c)
11 Frank Pritchard
12 Leeson Ah Mau
13 Josh McGuire
Interchange
14 Dunamis Lui
15 Jesse Sene-Lefao
16 Sauaso Sue
17 Mose Masoe
18 Dominique Peyroux
19 Penani Manumalealii
Coach: Matt Parish
Parish Unleashed Officials Spray
Following a heart-breaking 14-12 loss to the Kiwis in Saturday's Four Nations clash Samoan coach Matt Parish has unleashed a venomous spray in the direction of the match officials.
After leading the match heading into the final five minutes Samoa were run down by the fast-finishing Kiwis, who scored a 76th-minute winner through Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
In the post-match press conference Parish left nothing to the imagination, blasting the match officials for a number of calls that he said were incorrectly ruled against his side.
"A 6-2 penalty count in the second half [is what stands out]," Parish said.
"I have got a whole squad of shattered blokes down there, do you think they could do any more than they did today?
"Last week there were three video decisions that went against us and cost us 14 points. Today we led all but the end and got penalised 6-2 in the second half in a tough game.
"Mate, we get treated like second-class citizens. It is about time they took a bit of notice."
As well as the penalty count – which ended up 10-7 in New Zealand's favour – Parish said his side were victims of several acts of foul play which went unpunished.
"What about Ben Roberts…[he] does a kick and the bloke, Adam Blair, who was taking kickers out left, right and centre all day [takes him out]. So Frank (Pritchard) pushed him and they come back and give New Zealand a penalty," Parish said.
"That is a game changer, we were up 12-6 then with 20 minutes to go.
"Mose Masoe gets a chicken wing, play on. Tim Simona they get him in a head lock, play on.
"That's a shame that we are talking about rules and referees after such a great game of footy, isn't it? It is a real shame.
"They all deserve better than what they got today."
Had the Samoans been able to hold on for victory in front of the 16, 912-strong crowd at Whangarei's Toll Stadium they would have become the first fourth-seeded nation to win a Four Nations match.
A dejected Frank Pritchard said the mood in the away dressing room was one of despair after losing a game by six points or fewer for the second week in a row.
"It is a tough pill to swallow considering a couple of calls didn't go our way," the veteran Bulldog said.
"After last week's good performance we should have, could have won.
"The boys are pretty emotional downstairs.
"It is not easy but we have just got to pull together.
"We are definitely not here to make up the numbers; the boys wear the jersey with pride and honour.
"Today to lead with a couple of minutes to go and not get a call go our way, what can you say? What can you do?"
The Samoans now travel to WIN Stadium where they will face the Kangaroos on Sunday night.
With their hopes of advancing now all but gone Pritchard said they will treat the game as a virtual grand final.