Australians ‘chicken out’

Press, 3 February 1984, Page 32

Australians ‘chicken out’

By

JOHN COFFEY

Accusations that Australia had “chickened out” of a commitment to play at least one test against the Kiwis this year have been made by officials of the New Zealand Rugby League.

Ross Williams, the executive director of the N.Z.R.L., said from Auckland yesterday that Australian administrators had again declined the offer of a match.

Both Mr Williams and the N.Z.R.L. president, Ron McGregor—who made a personal plea to his Australian counterpart, Ken Arthurson—receives similar replies saying that it was not possible to fit a test into

the programme for the coming season.

“We will again leave the door open, and tell the Australians that we are available for a match, but the chances of their changing their minds must be very slim,” said Mr Williams.

Only 18 months ago an understanding was reached between officials in Australia and New Zealand that tests .vould be scheduled every year when one country’s national team was not making a full tour to the other. The first such series was held last season on a home-and-away basis. Australia won, 16-4, at Auckland, but a few weeks later the Kiwis triumphed, 19-12, at Bris-

bane to end Australia’s record sequence of 16 consecutive test wins since 1978.

Mr Williams said that New Zealand had tried to impress upon the Australins the public demand in this country for a “decider” and had offered to concede home ground advantage. The Kiwi coach, Graham Lowe, was even more blunt: “We’ll play Australia midweek, even at midnight, if they’ll turn up for the game.” he said. An N.Z.R.L. director and former Kiwi, John Bray, accused Australia of “using a tight club season in Sydney as an excuse" for avoiding a match. ’There have been stronger comments than

that, too,” said Mr Williams. “The words chickened out’ were used at this week’s meeting of the board of directors.” “Internationals between countries have always been the highlight of any rugby league season, but it seems the Australian, unlike ourselves, give their club competition greater priority than internationals,” said Mr McGregor. New Zealand’s test programme this year now seems certain to comprise three home tests, two at Auckland and the other in Christchurch, against Britain.

• As many as eight New Zealanders might > be included in an Oceania team to meet Northern Hemi-

sphere in a match to mark the fiftieth anniversary of rugby league in France.

The French have suggested to the New Zealand Rugby League that they invite six British-based Kiwis, Graeme West, Howie Tamati, Fred Ah Kuoi. Dane O’Hara, Gary Kemble and James Leuluai, and two New Zealand-based players. The game will be played in Paris next April. Oceania will comprise players from Australia. New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and will oppose a combined British and French side. Peter Corcoran, of Australia, will manage the Oceania side, with Graham Lowe, of New Zealand, as coach.