League: Gloves off in pre-match jousting

Australian rugby league officials and players are trying to play down the pre-match verbal scrap between the two camps in the lead-up to Friday's Anzac test.

Kiwis and Kangaroos have been at each other's throats this week over New Zealand-born Karmichael Hunt turning out in a green and gold jumper.

Andrew Johns says the banter is par for the course in trans-Tasman battles, and the arguments are forgotten once the players are on the field playing the test.

The Australian halfback is the centre of attention across the Tasman, with the test against the Kiwis marking his final ever appearance in a Kangaroos jumper.

Johns says it is nice that everyone is so interested, but it is more important to focus on the team.

He says his mind is firmly focused on winning the test, not on playing his final international.

And on the eve of the Anzac test, New Zealand officials are about to be given the green light to use Andrew Johns on the historic All Golds centenary tour to England next year.

Johns is keen to also tour with New Zealand next year, taking on a similar role to Dally Messenger 100 years ago.

Sel Bennett meets with the international league board today.

- NEWSTALK ZB