KEY POINTS:
Kiwi Frank Pritchard's management are crossing their fingers he will be available for next month's Anzac test despite a scheduled court appearance the day before the match.
Pritchard, who made a memorable comeback from a serious thumb injury for Penrith in their 40-10 win over the Bulldogs on
Friday, is set to appear in a Sydney court on April 19 charged with affray (breaching the peace by fighting).
The powerful, eight-test second rower would be a near certainty for the test in Brisbane the following night.
Pritchard's manager David Riolo said he was yet to discuss the potential clash with the player's lawyer.
"If he gets picked we'll cross that bridge but I don't think it'll be a major issue," Riolo said.
Pritchard's younger brother Tom and two of their cousins are also set to appear in Liverpool Local Court on the same charge on April 19. Tom Pritchard required heart surgery for stab wounds while Frank Pritchard suffered a badly cut thumb in the February street brawl in Sydney's west.
Court staffers said Pritchard could potentially avoid an appearance on April 19, provided his lawyer sent a letter to the court beforehand and was present to explain on the day.
Kiwis coach Brian McClennan hoped the matter would be resolved before the team assemble in Brisbane on April 16. The selectors will pick their wider squad after round four of the NRL, on April 6-9.
"That's something that has to be worked out by Frank," McClennan said yesterday. "It's fair to say we rate Frank very highly. He's a very valuable, important team member."
Meanwhile, McClennan was coy on the likelihood of a shock return for inspirational playmaker Stacey Jones next month.
Jones is still to publicly confirm his retirement from international league after McClennan announced he, Ruben Wiki and Nigel Vagana had called it quits after November's Tri-Nations final loss to Australia.
British reports yesterday said Jones, who flew across the world just days before the Kiwis' Tri-Nations final victory in 2005, played a starring role in Catalans Dragons' upset 29-22 win over Super League leaders Bradford.
"I'm not really sure about Stacey," McClennan said. "I haven't heard from him. Am I expecting to? He'll probably ring me soon."
The Anzac test buildup cranks up today with McClennan and key forward Sonny Bill Williams attending the test and State of Origin launch in Brisbane.
McClennan said Williams, who returns from suspension for the Bulldogs against Souths on April 6, and fellow Kiwis star Benji Marshall were excited about returning after missing the Tri-Nations through injury.
McClennan was excited to see the Warriors and South Sydney, containing Kiwis certainties Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell and David Fa'alogo, both make flying starts to the season.
But he warned not to expect too much from the Kiwis after their Tri-Nations heroics. Now without Wiki and Vagana, and probably Jones, they had often struggled in the Anzac test and lost 50-12 a year ago.
- NZPA
