The NZRL should compensate cook Islands the $40,000 lost. I like the quotes in
red 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/5705997/Cook-Islands-to-lose-400-000-on-cancelled-test
Cook Islands to lose $40,000 on cancelled test
JUSTIN LATIF
Last updated 15:20 29/09/2011
The Cook Island Rugby League Federation is set to lose $40,000 after the New Zealand Rugby League's about turn on playing a one-off test in Rarotonga on October 6.
NZRL CEO Jim Doyle announced that 29 Kiwi players are unavailable due to injuries and other reasons which has forced the cancellation of what would have been the first ever test match between the two nations.
Federation president Charles Carlson says most of his squad has already assembled in the Cook Islands with all their flights and accomodation being covered by his organisation.
"We've invested a lot into this and the cancellation will have a big impact. It's costing us roughly $40,0000 and basically we've got no chance of getting that back," he said.
"We were quite shocked when we heard that a nation who has first pick of a lot of the NRL's best players couldn't come up with a team."
Mr Carlson cites NRL stars Alex Glenn, Zeb Taia as just two current players with Cook Island heritage who his selectors can't pick because they've been selected for the Kiwis.
"I can understand it from their point of view, we've got a strong side and it's the first time we've managed to get all our NRL players together so they don't want to lose to the Cook Islands for the first time."
The NZRL have promised to still send an eight or nine players for promotional duties and Mr Carlson says a visit from Benji Marshall would be ideal.
"I still haven't heard who will be coming, but Benji Marshall is a big star, and if they sent him just by himself it would almost make up for it.
"This event has created huge interest here. Rugby league has overtaken rugby in the last few years as one of the most popular sports."
Mr Carlson points out that his federation also have a few involved in the NRL grand finals day, including Auckland Vulcan's halfback Issac John - but arrangement have been made to ensure they could make the test fixture.
"Our coach David Fairleigh is one of the coaching staff for the NZ Warriors and he is flying straight here after the game plus any of the Cook Islands players involved in the finals."
Cook Islands: Tinirau Arona (Sydney Roosters), Neccrom Areaiti (North Sydney), Sam Brunton (Sydney Roosters), Jonathan Ford (Sydney Roosters), Byron Ford (Newtown), Anthony Gelling (Auckland Vulcans), Isaac John (Warriors), Drury Low (Canberra), Lulia Lulia (Shellharbour), Sam Mataora (Canberra), Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters), Leon Panapa (Easts, Brisbane), Dominique Peryoux (Tweed Heads), Nathaniel Peteru (Warriors), Tupou Sopoaga (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Brad Takairangi (Sydney Roosters), Karl Temata (Harlequins, London), Zane Tetevano (Newcastle). Coach: David Fairleigh (Warriors)
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