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The Auckland and New Zealand Rugby League boards are facing criticism - the ARL after it voted its board a free trip to Brisbane for the test next week and the NZRL accused of undemocratic processes in the run-up to new elections.
The seven-member ARL board passed a majority vote to go to the Anzac test and all would travel despite the vote not being unanimous, said chairman Cameron McGregor.
The trip was a reward for the members, who put in long hours for an annual honorarium of $1000. The cost of air fares and accommodation was "not huge". Critics say it takes money that might have been spent on development of the game.
The NZRL, meanwhile, has restored the voting rights of districts that remain under review because they are either bankrupt or have failed to file proper accounts, budgets and business plans. Those opposed fear backroom deals to snare the districts' votes of Otago, Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Gisborne.
There is also concern at the NZRL board's shifting of the role of returning officer from contracted accountant Brian Mills to NZRL manager Peter Cordtz, which is viewed by some as removing some of the transparency in the election process. The prospect of court action looms.
