Harris glad to be playing indoors

Iestyn Harris is expecting the Millennium Stadium to bring out the best in Wales, who take on the might of New Zealand in the Lincoln World Cup Group Two decider on Sunday.  

Tournament organisers broke new ground by staging the opening Group One game at Twickenham and more history will be made when rugby league is played at the national stadium, complete with its closed roof.

"We're going to be up for the game, especially with it being at the Millennium Stadium," said Harris.

"It's the first rugby league game there so it's an historic occasion. It's something I'm looking forward to and, speaking to the rest of the lads, I know they are too.

"In South Africa three weeks ago, the boys were talking about playing New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium, it's something they've had their eyes on and we're ready for it."

Harris has applauded the decision to close the revolutionary roof following recent heavy rain and another forecast for wet and windy conditions.

"We will be warm and I'll be happy for that," he said. "We've had disgraceful conditions for our last two games. At Wrexham, where it was very close to being called off, it was like playing on a pond, and at Llanelli it was absolutely freezing.

"With the roof closed, it will be good to know for a fact that we'll have good conditions."

Wales, who have an injury doubt over prop Garreth Carvell (rib cartilage), will go into the match as clear underdogs after struggling to wear down Cook Islands and then being run so close by Lebanon.

Harris' men have already booked their place in the quarter-finals - their likely opponents at the Auto Quest Stadium in Widnes next Sunday are Papua New Guinea or France - but Harris accepts that his team need to provide a competitive match with the eyes of the world on them.

"It's going to be a difficult ask but it's one we will relish," he said. "It won't be disastrous if we don't win but you like to win every game."

The Kiwis, the tournament second favourites, have racked up 148 points in their two games so far but captain Richie Barnett knows the big test is yet to come.

"We're travelling alright - but we're not getting carried way," he said. "The real test will come when we're under pressure. Then we'll see where we're at. That won't happen until we play Wales or maybe the quarter-finals."

Lebanon and Cook Islands will battle it out to avoid the Group Two wooden spoon when they meet in a curtain-raiser, kicking off at 12.30pm.