League players heed coach’s call

Press, 6 November 1984, Page 56

League players heed coach’s call

By

JOHN COFFEY

Most of the leading rugby league players in New Zealand have heeded a request by the Kiwi coach, Graham Lowe, that they refrain from linking up with British clubs in the present offseason. Mr Lowe said some time ago that he wanted all potential New Zealand representatives to spend the summer relaxing so they would be refreshed for an arduous international programme in 1985. The Kiwis are to play a total of eight tests in four different countries. New Zealand meets Australia three times, home and away, in June and July, and in October embarks on a tour which includes three tests against Great Britain and two against France. Mr Lowe was anxious that he have a reservoir of physically and mentally fit players to call upon. He said yesterday that the number of temporary clearances issued to players wishing to spend terms with British clubs was much smaller than last year. National administrators backed Mr Lowe’s stand by ruling that prominent players would have to return to this country by

January 31. Because they could not leave until their clubs had fulfilled domestic commitments, there was little incentive for British clubs to outlay considerable sums of money on wellperformed New Zealanders. The relaxation of the international transfer ban also served to assist Mr Lowe’s 'cause. The British scouts now have Australians available to them, and New Zealand has become a less vital source of talent. It was also a relief to Mr Lowe that the outstanding young test men, Dean Bell and Hugh McGahan, decided to pursue professional careers in Sydney rather than Britain. They are available for all tests, and for the complete tour of Britain and France. New Zealand still has a formidable contingent in Britain, particularly in Hull, though constant football has taken its toll on some of the expatriates. Two recent test outside backs, Joe Ropati and Marty Crequer, initially applied for clearances to spend off-seasons with Warrington and Keighley, respectively. Both subsequently changed their minds.

Mr Lowe said that British clubs had “hounded” three

of the New Zealand-domi-ciled test players against Britain, Clayton Friend, Owen Wright and Howie Tamati, prompting the N.Z.R.L. to offer them special incentive contracts to stay home. “They will assist at the regional coaching schools throughout the country early next year, and are required to keep themselves in trim leading up to the tests with Australia,” said Mr Lowe. “That does not mean they will be automatic selections; Obviously, Friend, Wright and Tamati are among the three best in New Zealand at present and we want them to feel as professional as possible. “I hope this policy can spread in the long-term, perhaps complemented by rugby league apprenticeships which would allow youngsters to spend time in Australia,” he said. “Friend, Wright, and Tamati were really hounded by British clubs. Many others were also contacted, but most had a good look at the situation and decided to make the commitment to stay home with an eye to getting into representative football next year and ultimately tilt at a tour place,” said Mr Lowe.