‘Disrespectful’: World Cup book New Zealand’s flight home before they’ve lost

New Zealand are ready to prove the world wrong after RLWC organisers put their money on rugby league’s No. 1 team would lose.

HULL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Players of New Zealand line up for the National Anthems ahead of the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Fiji at MKM Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Hull, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

Even though New Zealand didn’t need any more motivation in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final blockbuster against Australia, the organisers have given it to them anyway.

The trans-Tasman rivals will play in the World Cup semi-final on Saturday morning at 6.45am AEDT and despite being the world’s No. 1 ranked rugby league nation, the Kiwis are rank outsiders.

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They’re such outsiders the Rugby League World Cup organisers have already booked New Zealand’s flight home — for the day after the semi-final.

It’s a move which has stunned the New Zealand side, who was pushed all the way against Fiji in the quarterfinal last week.

The flights cost World Cup organisers $10,000, and predictions have already cost a pretty penny after Samoa shocked rising powerhouse Tonga last week to book a semi-final against England.

As if they needed more motivation. Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images

New Zealand captain Jesse Bromwich said after learning of the flights, the Kiwis had “a good training session”.

“We spoke about that as a group and we want to control what we can control and outside noise shouldn’t be affecting us at this time of the tournament,” Bromwich said.

“Preparation should be the main thing on our mind at the moment and on Friday night. So yeah, we put that one to bed. I think a lot of us found it disrespectful but we have moved on.

“I guess it’s pretty simple, really, you know, booking a flight for a team that’s playing in the semi-final. They haven’t played the match and booking the flight for them to go home?

“I think that’s the part that we found disrespectful but again, I’m not going to put too much energy into that.

“I’ve got more important things on my plate this week. Preparation is the main thing going out there. And performing at my best for this weekend.”

New Zealand had cruised into the quarterfinals before fending off Fiji 24-18 last week in preparation for Australia.

But Australia have dominated its way through the competition, outscoring opponents 240-18, including a 48-4 win over Lebanon in the quarterfinal last week.

James Tedesco wants to send New Zealand home. Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC

Despite Australia sitting fourth in the world rankings, Kangaroos skipper James Tedesco said his side was the best in the world.

“We don’t give it much thought to be honest, I don’t think that really means much at this tournament,” Tedesco said.

“We see ourselves as the best so we’re going to play like that.

“We have that expectation that when we put that Australian jersey on that we’re going to win, so we have that confidence and I don’t think the rankings mean much to be honest.”

Daly Cherry-Evans claimed the Aussies were “the underdogs”, a claim halfback Nathan Cleary agreed with.

“Well we’re ranked No. 4 in the world so I guess he’s right,” Cleary said.

“They’ve obviously got a great pack and some great players among their team, but that pack is definitely a strength … we’ll have to be on our A game.”