League: Tri-Nations could come to southern hemisphere

1.00pm

The Tri-Nations may be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia next year, following reports that RFL Executive Chairman Richard Lewis is willing to alter the three-year deal for the tournament to be played in the UK.

A major stumbling block will be a suitable television deal, with the current tri-series part of a lucrative long-term deal worth millions of dollars to the game.

Australian coach Wayne Bennett has the full support of his Kiwis counterpart Daniel Anderson in bringing the tournament down under.

NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson says he will be glad to co-host the tournament for the fans, and the idea will be discussed at a board meeting later this month.

If the idea is feasible, he would love to see the competition played in the southern hemisphere.

He wants to get into heavy discussions about the possibilities, but thinks that if it all works, it will be fantastic for New Zealand fans, as they would get more than a one-off test each year.

Pearson thinks that for Lewis to make the offer, the British must be confident a profit can be made if there was a move.

- NEWSTALK ZB