Rugby League: Paul brothers itching for start to cup

LONDON - Kiwi rugby league standoff Henry Paul believes he and his brother, Robbie, will be in top shape when the World Cup kicks off in Britain this month.

The brothers have been playing for Bradford in the English Super League playoffs and have been in peak form.

Skipper Robbie was out for six weeks with broken ribs and a punctured lung suffered on August 7, but has returned to full fitness and had a storming game in Bradford's win over Leeds last weekend.

Bradford clash with Frank Endacott's Wigan side this weekend for the right to meet Kevin Iro and his St Helens team-mates in the grand final on October 14.

"These playoff games have been brilliant for our preparation for the World Cup," Henry said in Bradford.

"They do nothing for my nerves, but they are great for sharpening up before the Kiwi squad get together in Gloucester."

The New Zealanders meet up on October 25, five days ahead of their opening cup game against Lebanon. Their other pool games are against the Cook Islands and Wales.

Henry said he had seen the England and Australian squads and felt the Kangaroos would be on a high after the Olympics.

"They could pick three teams and they have got the guys in form and playing in Australia.

"There's every possibility England could meet the Maori side in the quarter-finals and it would be too hard to pick that game. But it wouldn't matter to me if we play the Maori team in the semis. We're there to win the cup for New Zealand."

Meanwhile, Henry heads into the game against Wigan having broken an 18-year-old Bradford record last weekend.

He has kicked 179 goals this season, more than any other player in Bradford's history, breaking the old record of 173 set by Eddie Tees in 1972.

Henry's goals came in 32 matches and Tees' 43 games. Henry has scored 400 points this season, also a Bradford record.

"Records are there to be broken and there was a good feeling about getting that record," he said.

"But our team are playing well. I have had a lot of shots at goals and the boys usually score near the posts, so that's made it easier.

The 26-year-old has already scored more than 100 tries in England since he began his British career with Wakefield in 1993.

His British highlights have been the 1995 Challenge Cup win at Wembley and the 1998 grand final win, both with Wigan.

He clinched Bradford's first Challenge Cup final win in 51 years this season and hopes to see Bradford to a second successive Super League grand final on October 15.

- NZPA