League: Noble gesture robs Kiwis for a second time

Lesley Vainikolo - not available.

The Kiwis' run at the Tri-Nations has again suffered a body blow with a club calling the shots ahead of international football, the Bradford Bulls engaging in subterfuge that has blockbusting wing Lesley Vainikolo ruled out.

The team arrived in London yesterday after a gruelling flight via Kuala Lumpur to learn that Vainikolo was about to go under the knife for knee surgery.

The agreed protocol was that he would report to the team camp and be assessed by the Kiwis' medical team.

Either there was miscommunication within the Bradford club or Great Britain coach Brian Noble pulled a stunt and only he would know.

On Tuesday of last week when Vainikolo and Ali Lauitiiti were added to the Kiwis squad the New Zealand Rugby League contacted the Bulls and St Helens seeking salary details so insurance cover could be arranged. The Bulls supplied Vainikolo's details without any suggestion he would not be available.

Last season, Noble said the big wing could play the first game of the Tri-Nations in England - New Zealand versus Australia - then sent him for surgery before the Lions-Kiwis games.

There was some sarcasm from NZRL's manager, Peter Cordtz, on reflection after they'd been stiffed yet again. "At least he's been consistent."

The big problem was that no protocol for the handling of injury issues had been written into the Tri-Nations agreement, Cordtz said.

The NZRL has pushed hard for such an agreement after being done over for decades, as New Zealand- born, bred and developed players have made their mark in the Australian and English leagues.

They had expected that players named to the squad, who had been available for their clubs, would present themselves and their medical details, MRI scans and so on, to be assessed by the Kiwis medics, Cordtz said.

NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson said: "We'll complain, again, but I don't expect any result".

Just as there is no agreed protocol, there is no agreed penalty.

The NZRL's deputy chairman, Sel Bennett, is travelling with the team and said he would be demanding an explanation from the Bradford Bulls and the Rugby League International Federation board.

"This type of situation is robbing international football of its stars," he said. "It's becoming a joke. We thought we had seen the back of all of this, but obviously not. This is disgraceful. Not only are the players missing out on the opportunity to play for their country but the public, who are spending their hard-earned money to buy the tickets to watch the games, are missing out," Bennett said.

The 109kg winger has scored 14 tries in just 12 test appearances but has faced Great Britain only once.

"We were given an assurance by the club that Lesley would be allowed to be seen and assessed by our medical staff before any action was taken," he said. "That hasn't happened and we want to know why."

There were no concerns so far with Lauitiiti, who is sure to start if available. Clinton Toopi has made a quick recovery from a leg injury and is expected to be named. Lance Hohaia will not play, still recovering from ankle surgery.

But the good news was that Stacey Jones would again be at halfback, released from duties for his new club Les Catalans.

So Toopi is likely to start at centre, with Shontayne Hape pushed out to the wing in a team that should not change too much further. The feeling in the Kiwis camp remains up-beat and positive despite the two-point loss to the Australians in Auckland - there is confidence they could win should they make the final at Elland Road in Leeds at the end of November.

Brian Noble on suggestions of subterfuge: "I'm flabbergasted that people could suggest that sort of thing, especially about myself. I want Lesley Vainikolo to play and I want Andrew Johns and Paul Sculthorpe to play.

Kangaroos halfback Andrew Johns has been ruled out with a bad right knee.

Meanwhile the Warriors started work yesterday and learned that skills coach Kevin Campion is heading back to Queensland for unexplained family reasons.

It was head coach Ivan Cleary's first day in the job and he said he was naturally sad to learn Campion would be leaving.

"It caught me by surprise. I was looking forward to working with him again but I understand why he had to make his decision."

Campion will continue until the Warriors finish pre-Christmas training on December 16 and Cleary said he would be giving consideration to a replacement in the coming weeks.

Vainikolo wrangle

* Bradford Bulls and Great Britain coach Brian Noble: "I'm flabbergasted that people could suggest that sort of thing, especially about myself. I want Lesley Vainikolo to play."

* NZRL deputy chairman Sel Bennett: "This type of situation is robbing international football of its stars. It's becoming a joke."

* Kiwis coach Brian McClennan: "There is supposed to be a process and that process has not been followed. Bradford should have liaised with us and our doctor should have had the chance to have a look at him."