Rugby League: Endacott deadline on strike threat

Kiwi league players threatening to strike have been given until 4 pm today to confirm their availability for next week's World Cup in Britain or they are out, coach Frank Endacott said early today.

Up to 10 Kiwi squad members are threatening to boycott the cup over a row relating to the Auckland Warriors.

From his home in Wigan, Endacott described the situation as serious.

"This is desperate ... It's spread like wildfire. It's got completely out of hand ... It's my biggest nightmare this year.

"I am confident we can still pull it together. It involves about eight Kiwi players and I have given them a deadline until 4 pm or they are out of the side."

The players are threatening to boycott the cup unless the Warriors honour outstanding player contracts.

Endacott said he was still confident he would have a committed side and there was a possibility the players would change their minds and board the plane in Auckland for London on Monday.

"I have spoken to the players and I have given them until 4 pm on Friday or I will replace them.

"I can't afford to bring over a half-full plane."

Endacott said the players' sporting careers would be over in the eyes of the public if they pulled out of the cup.

Earlier, New Zealand Rugby League president Gerald Ryan was slapped with notices from agents representing the players, claiming they would withdraw from the cup unless they were given assurances by noon today that the cash is on its way.

Among the 10 are, according to Radio Sport, Kiwis captain Richie Barnett and prop Craig Smith - who have not played for the Warriors but appear to have gone out in support of their national team-mates - along with Warriors Joe Vagana, Ali Lauititi and Logan Swann, Canberra Raider Ruben Wiki and former Warriors Quentin Pongia and Nigel Vagana.

Barnett, who has just recovered from having his face smashed in a horror collision with Australian winger Wendell Sailor earlier this year, is now at the London Broncos, while rugged prop Smith plays for St George.

The threat follows the refusal by the new owners of the Warriors, Cullen Investments, to roll over player contracts and the National Rugby League's failure to enforce a roll over.

Ryan claimed the NZRL and Cullen Investments were the innocent parties in the saga because wages had been owed to the players by the previous owners, Tainui.

Ryan, who labelled player agents as "locusts" and"cockroaches," insisted he would not bend.

"We are not responsible for the debts of others," he said.

"I'd rather resign than give in to blackmail.

"We are the innocent party, they don't seem to know that. I don't like underarm bowling.

"We've played with a straight bat and they should, too.

"If need be we'll go to the cup with a second-grade team."

The anger and bitterness spread across the Tasman last night, with the Rugby League Players' Association saying their members would refuse to play in the cup unless the National Rugby League and the Warriors took action to remunerate players.

If the ban widens, Australia, Tonga, Samoa and the New Zealand Maori team would also be affected.

The president of the association, Tony Butterfield, said in Sydney: "The boycott action is a reflection of their anger. They feel they have been let down badly by the NRL and the NZRL, and believe that this case has the potential to affect all clubs and players.

"Brad Fittler [Kangaroo captain] has offered his support and many other players support them [the Warriors players].

"They see it as a dangerous precedent," said Butterfield, who retired as the captain of the Newcastle Knights this year.