League players assisted

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 35

League players assisted

PA Auckland The New Zealand Rugby League has taken some of the guesswork out of the selection of next year’s Kiwi team to play Australia. English-based players asked to return for the Australian series will become automatic members of the test squad, a move the coach Graham Lowe described as “giving them the same privilege the Aus-tralian-based guys now get” The plan would also remove some of the problems returning players have faced with employers and family, as their time in New Zealand would be reduced. Instead of being asked to be back in time for New Zealand form to be studied, the selection would be done in England, when Mr Lowe visits there next April.

Lowe said the plan was formed after discussions with the English-based players during last winter’s Great Britain series. “The main problem that came through from those discussions was the extra demands being placed upon the guys. “Most of them are in a position where they can’t leave their jobs for a twomonth period. They’re going to be away for five or six weeks anyway. We just want to make it a bit easier for them,” Lowe said. All players would return in time for a Kiwi trial on June 5, with tests on June 18, June 30, and July 7. Also he said there was nothing to stop anyone not invited to return by the NZRL, to come home at his own expense in an effort to make the test team.