No let-up for Kiwis ahead of Samoa Test

Second rower Kevin Proctor is sure there will be no hangover when the Kiwis look to consolidate their Four Nations rugby league campaign against Samoa.

Proctor played a key role in the 30-12 upset over Australia in Brisbane on Saturday which put New Zealand in with a great chance of making the final – but he says the Kiwis have moved on.

“We’ll just focus on this weekend’s game and let that one get past us,” he said.

“We’re not dwelling on that win. We always try to improve our game. I think the boys have done that. We’ve trained really well. The preparation has been really good this week.”

Proctor, in his fourth Test, got over the line for his side’s opening try and was part of a dominant performance by the Kiwis pack.

“I think the whole team did that (put in an outstanding display) for 80 minutes,” he said.

“We normally do that for 40 or 60 minutes and let the Aussies get back in, but I think it was a good team performance from everyone.”

Proctor pointed to the positive mood in the squad, saying the confidence at the start of this camp was higher than that at the start of others.

He attributed much of that to New Zealand’s performance in the mid-year Test, despite the 30-18 loss in May.

“We got beat there but played some very good footy,” he said.

“I think the atmosphere in the whole joint was just confidence. Everyone believed in themselves and knew we could do it and we came away with a win.”

The Kiwis host Samoa in Whangarei on Saturday.

Samoa put in an impressive showing against England in their tournament opener, pushing their more fancied opponents before losing 32-26.

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