Kevin Iro’s Wembley date in jeopardy

Press, 3 April 1989, Page 21

Kevin Iro’s Wembley date in jeopardy

By

DAVID JONES

of NZPA in London

The Kiwi test centre, Kevin Iro’s, chances of playing for Wigan in the Challenge Cup final on April 29 are in jeopardy after a decision by the New Zealand Rugby League.

The League has banned Iro from playing for Wigan between now and April 19. The Wigan coach, Graham Lowe, said yesterday that Iro was in danger of losing his final spot if he was not available for the run-up matches. "We have got four matches before April 19 and it’s possible that if his replacement performs well, Kevin will miss the final,” he said. Ironically, one of the players challenging for Iro’s centre spot is fellow

Kiwi international Dean Bell. "It’s a shame but that’s the way it is,” Mr Lowe said. “Reputations don’t count for a thing at Wigan. It’s the form on the board.” Iro has appealed against the decision to the N.Z.R.L. but Mr Lowe said he did not think they would relent. “It’s hard on him but I do have a certain amount of sympathy for the New Zealand Rugby League who are in a difficult position,” he said. Mr Lowe said that

under New Zealand rules only players who have played in six test matches or two overseas tours qualify for long-term clearance to play in Britain. Iro had only been capped five times and gone on one overseas tour. Meanwhile, Shane Horo has played his last match for Castleford this season. The Kiwi wing has had his request to extend his stay until the end of April denied by the New Zealand Rugby League. “The board have cancelled my clearance,”

Horo said. “I’m very disappointed. I don’t know they can do this. They seem to have one rule for some people and another rule for others.” Horo said he would rejoin Northcote Tigers in Auckland for the new season and try to make the New Zealand test side for the three-match series against Australia. That would then qualify him for a long-term clearance and he hoped to return to England to play for Castleford next season.