League: Marshall, Halatau ruled out of Kiwis

Wests Tigers grand final stars Benji Marshall and Dene Halatau have been ruled out of the Kiwis league side for the Tri-Nations series.

Kiwis coach Brian McClennan said their unavailability was a major blow, but team officials would remain positive in the lead-up to the series opener against the Kangaroos in Sydney on October 15.

Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce confirmed the Tigers pair were booked for shoulder surgery early next week and would not be available for the world club challenge either.

Both were named in the 40-member New Zealand squad for the Kiwis and New Zealand A team, although there was an expectation they would be ruled out.

The players would need six months to recuperate, Noyce said.

McClennan said to lose two players of that calibre who had not only played in the grand final but performed so well was a big blow.

"But we'll remain positive and move on. We've got other players who are going to do an outstanding job for the Kiwis."

McClennan said he hadn't spoken to Marshall since the Tigers' grand final win over the Cowboys on Sunday but received a text message from the 20-year old outlining what was happening.

"It's a real disappointment to miss out playing for your country but it's a decision based on the long term rather than next week or next month," Marshall said.

McClennan said the Kiwis team officials were still checking the availability of a couple of other players, but he was expecting most of them to be available.

Most Northern Hemisphere contenders were unlikely to be available for the first two games in Sydney (October 15) and Auckland (October 21) as they were still involved in club playoffs with St Helens, Leeds and Bradford.

The British grand final is on October 15.

Australian coach Wayne Bennett said the Kiwis would miss Marshall but he understood the decision.

"If they are not fit and they need surgery, that's not disappointing, that's just the way it is," Bennett said. "If you need major reconstruction, on your shoulder for example, that's a six-month recovery.

"It would be irresponsible of the Tigers in Benji's case if he couldn't start the season with them next year.

Bennett still expected the Kiwis to boast plenty of Tigers.

"They will have three or four guys who will play for New Zealand."

* Wests Tigers have apologised for the inappropriate language used by some of its players during the post-grand final televised interviews - the most-watched programme of the year in Sydney and Brisbane.

Winger Pat Richards, replacement forward Chris Heighington, and prop Anthony Laffranchi used the f-word several times during interviews that were broadcast live on Channel Nine.

* The Eels' Nathan Hindmarsh was last night ruled out of the Kangaroos squad with a knee injury and the Dragons' Ben Creagh named to replace him.

- NZPA