Rugby League: Anzac test refereeing battle is for the birds

By Peter Jessup

Waikato league supporters sent a pukeko north to join the refereeing panel for the Anzac test next week but the Aussies have shown no interest in picking him ahead of Bill Harrigan.

The swamp bird looks to be less out of place daily as the international bodies continue a spat over the neutrality of whistlers for the international.

The Australian Rugby League started it, pushing their man Harrigan as the world's best and asking the NZRL to set aside an international agreement that provides for neutral refs. The NZRL refused - twice.

The England Rugby Football League then sent three names to the Aussies, who get to choose since the game is on their ground. They chose Russell Smith, the Kiwis accepted him.

Then yesterday the ARL notified the NZRL that another of the three, Stewart Cummings, would preside. The NZRL again said yes.

In the intervening period the Warriors were copping a refereeing hiding, prompting NZRL president Gerald Ryan to quip that an orang-utan from Borneo or a Waikato pukeko would be better than some Aussie whistle-blowers.

So last week the pukeko arrived at NZRL headquarters in a cage, addressed to Ryan who was meeting that day with ARL chairman John McDonald. During what were heated discussions, Ryan told McDonald that if Australia kept pushing the issue they'd insist on the pukeko taking the field. McDonald was not amused. The swamp bird, unwanted at Homebush Stadium, is safely back home.

There is no truth to the rumour that orang-utans are leaving Borneo in their droves in order to avoid the appointment. Ryan confirmed yesterday that they had one on standby.