Rugby League World Cup: Former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett backs New Zealand to upset the odds in semifinal against Australia

Richie Barnett believes New Zealand have performed well short of their potential at the Rugby League World Cup. The Kiwis haven't got close to a full 80-minute display at this tournament and their inconsistency continued against Fiji on Sunday. They are playing against Australia in Saturday's semifinal at 8:30am. Barnett played 26 tests for the Kiwi team between 1995-2000. He is optimistic about the team's future. He praises the performances of Jahrome Hughes, Joseph Manu and Dylan Brown. It is only the second game with the first-choice spine after Hughes and Manus missed earlier games.

Richie Barnett backs New Zealand to upset the odds in Rugby League World Cup semifinal against Australia. The Kiwis Ferns confirmed their spot in the World cup semifinals with a 34-4 win over the Cook Islands in York on Monday. They are likely to face England in last four. The Fern's lost their final group game against world champions Australia on Friday at 8:30 am. If they beat the Jillaroos on the same day, they will play England. It is unlikely that they would play against the Kiwi Fern’s.