English back N.Z.R.L.

Press, 23 May 1989, Page 29

English back N.Z.R.L.

PA Wellington The English Rugby League has recognised and backs moves by its New Zealand counterpart to tidy up player transfer regulations, the N.Z.R.L. executive director, Michael Knowles, said yesterday.

Mr Knowles met English officials during the International Rugby League Board meeting in London earlier this month. “The English board noted our problems and were sympathetic about the difficulties we face,” Mr

Knowles said. “They recognise the major steps we have taken to tidy up our transfer regulations.” Mr Knowles said the English also supported the decision by the N.Z.R.L. not to allow the Kiwi centre, Kevin Iro, to play for two weeks before the Challenge Cup final in which Wigan beat St Helens, 27-0. “They were supportive of our stance, and the Wigan demands were contraiy to the position of the international board,” Mr Knowles said.

The Wigan chairman, Maurice Lindsay, called the N.Z.R.L. "spoilsports” when Iro was sidelined from April 1 to April 19. He had also said then: "Knowles had better be on his toes when he meets me face to face when he comes to England in two weeks time.”

But Mr Knowles said he did not meet Mr Lindsay. “The chairman of an English club who made some very extravagant claims didn't come in sight at all.”