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British officials today accused the New Zealand Rugby League of double standards over its attack on prop Adrian Morley after he escaped suspension for a high tackle.
Rugby Football League chairman Nigel Wood said New Zealand counterpart Andrew Chalmers had overstepped the mark with comments that included labelling Morley "a maniac".
Wood pointed to an incident in the 2005 Tri-Nations in which Great Britain halfback Paul Deacon was left with severe facial injuries after a tackle by Kiwi centre Nigel Vagana.
A three-man video review panel yesterday decided 2-1 that Morley should face no further action for his tackle on former Kiwi Awen Guttenbeil last weekend.
The incident occurred during the Northern Union's defeat to the All Golds at Warrington.
The panel's verdict freed Morley to play for Great Britain in the first test against the Kiwis at Huddersfield on Sunday (NZ time).
Wood said the New Zealand camp's reaction to the decision was "completely inappropriate and unwarranted".
He described it as "a deliberate and predictable attempt" to influence the match officials for the three-test series and to upset Morley and his teammates.
"Claims that a player sets out to deliberately injure an opponent have no place whatsoever in an international sporting contest," he said.
"We believe the New Zealanders are guilty of double standards as many people will recall the incident in 2005 in which Paul Deacon sustained an horrendous injury."
Great Britain assistant coach Steve McNamara said the controversy had provided added motivation for the Lions ahead of the first test.
"The lads are angry at what the Kiwis have come out with and have all rallied around Mozza," he said.
"I think it might backfire on them as the lads are fired up more than ever."
Chalmers had argued that Morley should be ruled out of the first test and probably for the entire series.
He said the decision to let off the former Sydney Rooster, who now plays for Warrington, showed the RFL had little regard for player welfare.
"Does that now give Morley carte blanche to go around aiming as high as he likes throughout this series? You'd have to think so."
Chalmers said the RFL knew his views but he had no confidence it would review its stance.
"They have no concept of what is right and proper," he said.
"After all, they see nothing wrong in allowing a maniac like Morley to operate with a search and destroy mentality."
Chalmers described Morley as a repeat offender during his time in the National Rugby League and said he had a similar history in England.
Kiwi coach Gary Kemble said he was surprised at the panel's decision and argued for judicial consistency.
He pointed to the fate of Kiwi centre Steve Matai, who was sent off and then handed a two-match ban for a high tackle in the Kiwis' 58-0 loss to Australia this month.
- NZPA
