League: Kiwis not giving up over Puletua injury dispute

By PETER JESSUP


The New Zealand Rugby League is not giving up its push for Tony Puletua to take part in the Tri-Nations games in England.

This morning former All Blacks medic Dr John Mayhew will examine his medical history and give a prognosis.

Puletua's Penrith club wants him back in Sydney for surgery, and yesterday made it clear it would make contractual demands. The NZRL has agreed that Puletua and second row mate Joe Galuvao need ankle surgery, but the dispute is over the difference in their injuries, the operations required and recovery time.

The club claims Puletua will need a 12 to 16-week recovery. The NZRL has advice that six to 12 weeks is standard.

The player was keeping his head down yesterday during the build-up for the opening Tri-Nations game at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday. He is not in doubt for the game and nor is Galuvao.

"We believe that, managed properly, he could still tour, have surgery and be ready for 2005," said NZRL general manager Peter Cordtz. The league had sought an independent ruling from the NRL's head medic, Dr Hugh Hazard, who is the Bulldogs' and Kangaroos' doctor, but he has ruled himself out.

"Tony's welfare is uppermost in this - we want to lift it out of a Penrith-NZRL issue to get a credible position based on the facts," said Cordtz.

Dr Mayhew's opinion will be forwarded to the Australian Rugby League, the ERL and the Panthers, but there is no guarantee the club's position will waver.

Captain Ruben Wiki yesterday described the Kiwis squad as "one big happy family - that's why I like playing for New Zealand". He felt they would be ready for the big test the Australians would put them to.

"There's plenty of seniority in the team but the new boys have brought good enthusiasm."

Motu Tony will take his place in the side after his wife gave birth to a son yesterday.

Olympic triathlon gold medallist Hamish Carter will present the team with individually named Kiwis jerseys at the pre-test dinner at the Northcote Rugby League club tomorrow night.