On the money.....
Australia succeed in dispute over refereeing appointment
By Christopher Irvine
AUSTRALIA are to get their way over the referee for the Gillette Tri-Nations match against Great Britain tomorrow week. The RFL bowed to pressure over its proposal that Glen Black, a little-known official from New Zealand, should take charge, an appointment described as absolutely ridiculous by Wayne Bennett, the Australian coach.
Because Australia refused to accept Black, whom Bennett said he had never heard of, Russell Smith, of Britain, and Tim Mander, of Australia, will share the Anglo-Australian fixtures at the City of Manchester Stadium next weekend and JJB Stadium, Wigan, a fortnight later.
A separate controversy has erupted over the decision of Lesley Vainikolo, the Bradford Bulls and New Zealand wing, to withdraw from the tournament after tomorrows encounter against Australia at Loftus Road. He is to undergo a knee operation at Bradfords insistence, ruling him out of the Kiwis two matches against Britain, who are coached by Brian Noble, Vainikolos club coach.
Chris Hanna, the New Zealand team doctor, disputed the claim that Vainikolo requires the operation next week. Dr Hanna still felt the eight-week recovery time was manageable after the tournament, a statement by the New Zealand Rugby League said.
Henry Faafili, who joined Warrington Wolves from New Zealand Warriors in the summer, will take over from Vainikolo in the squad, but the Kiwis will not replace Motu Tony, who recently completed a move from Castleford Tigers to Hull, and stayed behind in Auckland after the 16-16 draw against Australia to be with his wife and new-born child.
Leigh Centurions have signed Craig Stapleton, the Parramatta Eels prop, and Kevin Henderson, from Newcastle Knights, for their Super League entry next year. The exodus of players from Castleford continued yesterday, when both Ryan Hudson and Andy Lynch signed for Bradford, taking the the number of departures from the relegated club to nine.
All the best to Stapo...
