Double-header sparks test plans

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 64

Double-header sparks test plans

PA Wellington Sydney is keen to host back-to-back rugby-rugby league tests between New Zealand and Australia, following the success of last week-end’s double-header in Auckland. The New South Wales Sports Minister, Mr Michael Cleary' said renewed enthusiasm by Australian rugby league officials for tests against New Zealand

had led to great interest in the concept across the Tasman. Those officials turned down a request by New Zealand for a league test last year, but Mr Cleary said there was now a real prospect of annual one-off league tests between the two countries in tandem with the annual rugby clashes for the Bledisloe Cup., “The problem was that

Australia did not realise that the New Zealand league spirit has been rekindled. “After speaking to Australian league executives, I don’t think there’ll be any trouble selling an AustraliaNew Zealand league test now,” he said. Mr Cleary, who played for Australia at both rugby and league in the early 19605, said league officials had told him they would

have transferred last month’s Brisbane test if they had gauged the interest correctly. “They would have held it at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of a crowd of 60,000,” he said. Mr Cleary watched the two internationals in Auckland at the week-end as a guest of the New South Wales Rugby Union, and the New South Wales Rugby League.