It was recently revealed that the organisers of the Rugby League World Cup have purchased plane tickets for the New Zealand national team to take them home after their semi-final clash with Australia.

Due to time constraints the organisers were forced to choose which team they believe is going to lose the fixture and prepare their flight home.

This decision has been met with plenty of backlash as it’s perceived as disrespectful towards the Kiwis.

Former New Zealand head coach Tony Kemp recently spoke on the SENZ radio network about this situation.

“Obviously, it (New Zealand’s most disrespected team) is the Kiwis currently with that news that came out yesterday,” Kemp said on SENZ.

“They put them in terrible hotels, they always have done.

Kiwi #686 Motu Tony reflects on his time wearing the black and white 🇳🇿 #worldcupwaka pic.twitter.com/ggJWnpzGta

— NZ Rugby League (@NZRL_Kiwis) November 9, 2022

“They give them the worst fields to train on and the English and Australians have treated them like that for years.”

Kemp was then asked if he believes the World Cup organisers are hoping for Australia to verse England in the final.

“100 per cent that’s what they want, an England v Australia World Cup Final,” Kemp said.

“The Kiwi boys are used to it, they’ll get up for it … that’s disrespectful.”

Australia has versed England as a stand-alone nation in the final three times and a further five times as Great Britain.

One would think that at this point a final between Australia and England could prove detrimental if anything as fans grow weary of the fixture and look for an underdog to rise up

 
Speaking of underdogs, Queensland State of Origin captain and Australian player Daly Cherry-Evans has spoken to Fox Sports and believes that the Kangaroos are the underdogs heading into their game against New Zealand.

“We’re the underdogs,” said Cherry-Evans.

“They’re ranked No. 1 for a reason and the last couple years suggests they’ve been playing some high-level footy,” Cherry-Evans said.

Of course New Zealand, like Australia, made their return to the international stage this year after not having played since 2019 due to COVID.

New Zealand’s return came in a mid-season test with Tonga while Australia ended their three-year hiatus when the World Cup began.