Kiwis in British trial?

Press, 2 March 1984, Page 30

Kiwis in British trial?

NZPA London A team made up of New Zealanders playing rugby league for English clubs may serve as a final trial for the selection of the Great Britain side which will tour Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea this winter. A proposal for the game, for which a near fullstrength Kiwi side could be fielded, will be discussed by the English Rugby League’s management committee next Wednesday. “It would certainly not be an official test but it would be very useful for British players to take on a team which has played together regularly like the New Zealanders,” said an English Rugby League spokesman, David Howes, yesterday. Another proposal is for the trial to be against an “other nationalities” side composed of overseas players such as Australians, New Zealanders and Frenchmen playing in England. “That team would, however, probably not be as strong as a side of New Zealanders because the lads would not have played together before,” Mr Howes said. The New Zealand Rugby League has been given initial information on the proposal and appeared agreeable, he said, but official approval would be sought if it is given the go-ahead next Wednesday. One factor working against its coming to fruition could be the congestion of club fixtures after the weather-enforced abandonment of many games earlier this year. The Great Britain side will be selected on April 16 and will play three tests in Australia before starting its New Zealand tour on July 10.

It will play three internationals against New Zealand, two at Auckland and one at Christchurch.