N.Z. interest in Sydney contest

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 34

N.Z. interest in Sydney contest

PA Auckland The New Zealand Rugby League chairman, Mr George Rainey, believes a professional side from this country could compete in the Sydney competition by 1992. Mr Rainey has had a significant change of heart on the matter. The attitude of the New Zealand league has been seen as a big stumbling block by those wanting a team in Sydney, but Mr Rainey said yesterday that “the door is much more open than it was.” “Australia is much more amenable to the idea than it was, so we have to look at it much closer. “The Australians have been

very impressed with what they have seen here during the Australian tour. They were impressed by the interest in the Sydney league on television, and by the interest in league here. "Therefore they have had a marked change of attitude... and are showing sympathy and. hope for the idea of a New Zealand side competing in the Winfield Cup. "It has assumed much greater importance in my mind than four weeks ago before the Australian tour. I can see it happening by 1992 or 1993.” Mr Rainey believed there were people with money to back the venture,

although finance would always be a hurdle. The main problem, he believed, would be fielding a team to compete strongly each week. He will submit a report to the New Zealand league in early September, about a month after the Mt Albert club is due to outline its proposals for entering a side in the Sydney competition. "The Auckland Rugby League, or a special body affiliated to the A.R.L. or N.Z.R.L., would be the people to run the team,” said Mr Rainey. “There would have to be some real planning to enable the organisers to contract players before they signed

new contracts.” Mr Rainey said he and the other board members were still undecided on whether a team in Sydney would benefit league in New Zealand. It could also take the gloss off test football. He said that, just as Brisbane Broncos had struggled during the Australians’ tour, so could a New Zealand side when the Kiwis were on tour. “It is really- only one of a number of avenues that must be addressed by the N.Z.R.L. “We will have a lot of internal things to work out. I’m still a bit mixed on the idea and still want to see what possibilities are in New Zealand.”