New Zealand already booked to be on flight home after semi-final clash by Rugby League World Cup organisers

New Zealand have been given some extra motivation for their Rugby League World Cup semi-final this Friday against Australia.

This is because the Kiwis have already been booked on a flight home in the 24 hours after their semi-final clash at Elland Road according to the Daily Telegraph.

This is because tournament organisers were forced to ensure they had enough flights pre-booked prior to the tournament so had to predict how they felt the competition would go.

They correctly predicted that the Kiwis and Kangaroos would make the semi-finals but forced to pick between the two, they chose to reserve flights to New Zealand this weekend.

This is despite the fact New Zealand are the world number one ranked side whilst Australia are only fourth in the rankings.

However, Australia skipper recently dismissed these rankings saying that the Green and Golds see themselves at the best.

He said to the Sydney Morning Herald: “I don’t think it really means much at this time. We see ourselves as the best so we’re going to play like that. We have that expectation when you put an Australian jersey on that we are going to win. We have that confidence. I don’t think the rankings really mean much to us. We want to win the World Cup.”

Nonetheless, the decision to reserve flights home for the Kiwis has given them more motivation.

It also explains why Ireland were sent home a day after their loss to New Zealand even though there was still a chance they could make the quarter-finals.