League: Tri-series venues decided

Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will host matches in this year's Rugby League tri series.

After two years in England, the triangular rugby league tournament is being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand as part of the build-up to the 2008 World Cup down under.

The Lions open their campaign against the Kiwis on October 28th at Christchurch's Jade Stadium.

Great Britain will also play the Kiwis in Wellington.

Australia and New Zealand will have played each other twice by then, with the National Rugby League season finishing a fortnight before the Super League.

NZRL boss Selwyn Pearson says it is great to be able to see the Kiwis outside Auckland.

He says he locked in Christchurch and Wellington two or three weeks ago, and they have shown how professional they are by keeping it quiet until now.

Pearson has revealed there were three possibilities for the Auckland test.

He says they could have gone with Eden Park or North Harbour Stadium but have chosen Ericsson Stadium.

The tournament will kick off in Auckland on October 14, the day of the Super League Grand Final, and finish in Sydney on November the 25th.

* Tri-Nations rugby league draw 2006:


Oct 14: New Zealand v Australia (Ericsson Stadium, Auckland)
Oct 21: Australia v New Zealand (Melbourne)
Oct 28: New Zealand v Great Britain (Jade Stadium, Christchurch)
Nov 4: Australia v Great Britain (Sydney)
Nov 11: Great Britain v New Zealand (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
Nov 18: Great Britain v Australia (Brisbane)
Nov 25: FINAL (Australia, venue tbc) 

- NEWSTALK ZB