Kiwis great Tony Kemp isn’t surprised by reports of Rugby League World Cup organisers writing off New Zealand’s chances of beating Australia in Saturday’s (NZT) Semi-Final.
According to reports, organisers pre-arranged for the side’s flight home to come on the day after their knockout clash with Australia after they were made to predict when teams would likely exit the tournament due to logistical reasons.
While organisers worked off the idea that Australia would head through as tournament favourites, Kemp believes this is just another example of the Kiwis being New Zealand’s most disrespected team.
“Obviously, it (New Zealand’s most disrespected team) is the Kiwis currently with that news that came out yesterday,” Kemp said on SENZ Breakfast.
“They put them in terrible hotels, they always have done.
“They give them the worst fields to train on and the English and Australians have treated them like that for years.
“Was I surprised when I read that? Not at all.
“Was I surprised that it came out before the Semi-Final? Not at all.”
Kemp believes the decision was made as organisers had hoped for an England v Australia Final pre-tournament.
He hopes the Kiwis use the snub to motivate them to prove their doubters wrong.
“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.”
If the Kiwis do upset the Kangaroos, it’ll cost organisers a reported $380 NZD per ticket to change their flights.
The Semi-Final between New Zealand and Australia kicks off at 4:45 am Saturday (NZT).