Great news if the Tri Nations happen again this year, but I agree with others posts at the comments from Mr Carr.
For once it would be nice to hear a Australian officials be proactive rather than the negative comments that usually come out regarding anything to do with the international game!
As for the the article from
www.stuff.co.nz below..... I dont always agree with Mr. Pearson's but I think he has a fair point! Dont you?????
For the game to survive in NZ we need a revenue flow and having one test a year just isnt good enough!!!!
But I guess Australia needs all the high profile games, as to keep there players up to the world beating standard they have enjoyed over the last 25 years!! which is so good for our game. (not)
***from
www.stuff.co.nz******
New Zealand could host both its tri-series tests against Asutralia next year if an audacious bid by New Zealand Rugby League chairman Selwyn Pearson is successful.
Australia and Great Britain decided this week to continue their involvement in the competition, whose future now rests in New Zealand's hands.
Pearson is attempting to use New Zealand's future involvement as a bargaining chip to lure both Kiwis/Australia tests to New Zealand. He is due to speak to Australian Rugby League chairman Geoff Carr tomorrow, when a deal is expected to be thrashed out.
"We want both tests here. Australia have plenty of big league - city versus country matches and three State of Origin games each year. We want something for league fans in this country," Pearson said.
"That's why I'll be telling (Carr) that we support the tournament, but we will be sitting on our decision until we can get some sort of agreement on the format and where games will be played."
Pearson's hardline stance is partly due to previous decisions made by the ARL around international league, such as refusing to release players for a proposed North-South fixture featuring New Zealand's top internationals this year.
The game coincides with the State of Origin series when NRL clubs release their best players.
"I don't think that is fair," Pearson said.
"It's a double standard. Some clubs like West Tigers are very supportive when we ask for players to be released, some, like Penrith and the Bulldogs, are not. I'm keen to be part of the tri-series again, but it has to be on our own terms and if we can use our vote as a bargaining chip to help make games like a North-South match become a reality, then so be it."
The tri-series, which Australia won, yielded a $2 million profit.
About 40,000 fans watched the final at Elland Road in Leeds.
Great Britain has already pledged its support for another series and will administer the 2005 version if all parties can agree on a format.
Concerns for player welfare, because of the elongated season, meant Australia demanded both its tests against New Zealand be played either at home or here to reduce its travel burden.
Carr told the Sydney Morning Herald Australia's demands had been met and, when New Zealand ratified its participation, planning for a repeat series in Great Britain in November could begin. However, Pearson's stance throws a spanner in the works and it's not known if Australia will play ball.
P.S Australia already have the ANZAC test, to be played in Brisbane this year.
