League: Kiwis want five for GB test

The NZRL have asked for five NRL players to be released for the upcoming test against Great Britain, which is likely to result in yet another club vs country debate.

The NZRL have had a testy relationship with clubs over the release of players for international duty and NZRL chairman Selwyn Bennett said they would be prepared to take the matter to the international board if clubs refused to release players for the June 28 game in St Helens.

Kiwis coach Brian McClennan has asked for the NZRL to seek the release of Iosia Soliola from the Roosters, Jeremy Smith and Fui Fui Moi Moi from the Eels, David Kidwell from the Storm and the Bulldogs' Billy Ngawini.

"We are hopeful we'll get them all. We know these clubs are interested in test football so we expect a positive response," Bennett said, with tongue firmly placed in cheek.

"I don't think we're asking for too much because we haven't asked for any star players."

Bennett said they were prepared to take the matter to the international rugby league board if clubs refused to release players. "I think it's getting to the stage where we're going to have to test it."

The Roosters have agreed to release prop Adrian Morley for the Great Britain side so expectations are high Soliola will be given the green light.

McClennan intends to use the test for development and is keen for Ngawini to be included to play alongside Stacey Jones.

Moi Moi is being viewed as a replacement for the injured Paul Rauhihi, who is out for three months with a back injury, while David Kidwell would provide experience in the forward pack.

The NZRL is still investigating an origin-style game between Northern Hemisphere based Kiwis and Southern Hemisphere Kiwis to be played as a trial for the Tri Nations.