League: Tri-Nations victory paying dividends

Kiwis star and new dad Stacey Jones arrived home in Auckland yesterday but avoided interviews. Picture / Getty Images

The Tri-Nations trophy is safely in the hands of the New Zealand Rugby League after team management flew home with it yesterday.

Stacey Jones also arrived back in Auckland but dodged media at the airport.

Captain Ruben Wiki arrives today and the rest of the Auckland-based players tomorrow, with the NZRL planning a reception - possibly a barbecue at Ericsson Stadium tomorrow or Saturday afternoon, following the NZRL awards dinner on Friday night.

Wiki is certain to be honoured for his individual effort and leadership this year as well as his world record mark of 50 tests. It would be hard to go past him for player of the year, while Benji Marshall and the new-found Kiwis wings Manu Vatuvei and Jake Webster may vie for the rookie title.

The Tri-Nations series win is already producing returns, with Great Britain requesting a warm-up game against New Zealand A before their matches against the Kiwis and Kangaroos next year. Christchurch is a possible venue.

Next year's Tri-Nations will feature two games against the Lions in New Zealand, probably in Wellington and Auckland, and one against Australia in Auckland, one in Sydney.

NZRL vice-chairman Selwyn Bennett has spoken of taking the game to Eden Park where Australia walloped New Zealand in the World Cup final in 1988.

Bennett, who flew back yesterday, was pleased with progress and hoped the Kiwis' win would lead to better financial backing to aid development, free-to-air TV coverage and more weight at future Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) negotiations and in those involving the NRL, Super League and the clubs.

"For too long we've been taken too lightly but we also have to take some blame for letting ourselves down. This team has lifted our fortunes and now we have to go out and make the most of it," he said.

The RLIF has accepted an NZRL proposal regarding development fees for Bartercard Cup and representative players, with around $3500 the rate for a national provincial championship player.

The state leagues in Australia and second-division English and French leagues must now also pay the fee. In the past it was just NRL and Super League clubs who were committed.

The French were already upset after being presented with a bill, Bennett said, but close to 100 New Zealanders played there.