Monday morning's 7.5 north Canterbury earthquake has impacted personally on several members of the Kiwis team as they prepare for their Four Nations rugby league final in England.
The Kiwis perform the haka Photo: Photosport
The quake struck just a few hours before England took on Australia in London, a match which Australia won 36-18 securing New Zealand's place in the final.
Kiwis utility Lewis Brown said a lot of his team didn't watch the game for various reasons -- though for some, it was because of the news unfolding at home, with concern over the continuing aftershocks.
"The boys are a bit rattled," Brown said.
"Obviously there's a few of them that are from Wellington and that some of their families got evacuated...or their friends got evacuated.
"It's a real sense of feeling when something like that's going on back home."
Lewis Brown in action for the Kiwis Photo: Photosport
Brown has family in Christchurch, where he was born and raised, and said he was quickly on the phone to family members when he heard the news.
"The city's been through a lot," he said.
"I just want it to give them a break. Everyone's wondering when it's going to stop."
Brown said he's confident the Kiwis can put the events at home to one side and focus on how to avoid a fourth loss this year to the unbeaten Kangaroos and come away with the Four Nations title once again.
- AAP, RNZ
