Kiwi wingers on track for RLWC final

Nov 27, 2013 - 8:27 PM New Zealand wingers Manu Vatuvei and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have been all but cleared to play in the Rugby League World Cup final against Australia at Old Trafford.

However, second-rower Frank Pritchard is still in doubt with a hamstring strain.

Vatuvei missed the semi-final win over England last weekend because of a groin problem, while Tuivasa-Sheck picked up a lower leg injury in the match.

Coach Stephen Kearney is confident both will be fit to face the Kangaroos on Sunday morning (AEDT).

He says Vatuvei completed the Kiwis' latest training session and it was case of seeing how he pulled up from that.

Tuivasa-Sheck, who has a bruised lower right leg, got through the session without a problem.

"Roger trained today and I'm picking he would be [available]," Kearney said.

However, Pritchard remains a major concern for the defending champions, with Kearney saying he hadn't been able to run freely.

"Frank's been an integral member of the group for the last few years and we want to give him every opportunity to get out there," he said.

"We'll just see how he runs tomorrow."

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens believes fullback Billy Slater is good chance to return to the No.1 jersey after missing the semi-final win over Fiji with a knee injury.

"I'm never confident of these things, but from what I saw today at least it gives us some hope that he will be available," he said.

"We'll wait and see tomorrow and then there'll be another session on Friday. It's just how he pulls up tomorrow."

Both coaches have to name their sides 48 hours before kick-off.

Source: AAP