Rugby League: It's up to the players says Freeman

LEEDS - New Zealand coach Gary Freeman has averted a potential tug of war over the services of Robbie Paul and new cap Tevita Vaikona, saying he will not ask the duo to play against their club should Bradford retain the English Super League title tomorrow.

The Kiwis meet the winner of the grand final in Manchester between Bradford and St Helens next Saturday in the lead-up to their three-test series with Great Britain next month.

Freeman said he spoke to the pair briefly before the Kiwis arrived this week and said he had no intention of putting them out to play their team-mates, unless they want to.

"I wouldn't do it to them. They've spent all year playing with their club and if they are lucky enough to come through and win the grand final I would not expect them to jump ship and play against them," Freeman said.

"If they want to play against us that's fine, I would respect that decision, but if they want to play for us they can.

"Being a player and thinking like a player as I do, I'd probably suggest they won't play against us."

Bradford football manager Stuart Duffy would not confirm if the pair would turn out for their club, but said coach Brian Noble wanted to field his strongest combination against the Kiwis.

Club captain Paul and Vaikona were in camp with Bradford and unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, former test players Joe Vagana and Lesley Vainikolo have a last chance to push for a late call-up to the touring party with impressive performances at Old Trafford.

The Bradford pair are in the frame to join the squad to cover for the injury-related defections of props Craig Smith and Andrew Lomu, and wing Matt Utai.

Freeman will make a decision on whether to add either player after assessing their form in the grand final. Both made their last international appearance at the 2000 World Cup in Britain.

Duffy expressed surprise and disappointment that Vagana had not made the initial touring party.

"Joe's had a very good season and in our opinion has been playing much better than Craig Smith," he said.

The 16-test former Warrior is nearing the end of an impressive second season with the reigning Super League and world club champions, and has played in all of the club's 30 matches this campaign.

Freeman said he and the team were staying positive, despite losing a host of first- choice players.

"The guys on tour are disappointed for the players that are missing, but they've got a job to do and we've just got to keep going forward."

Losing Lomu was a bitter blow.

"He played great [against Australia] and it's disappointing."

Freeman said the team had got over the rigours of a long flight, but he was careful not to overwork the players, limiting training on heavy weather-affected grounds.

"They've been a little bit tired the last couple of days, but everyone's fine."

The team had a solid speed and conditioning session yesterday, the first of two runs for the day.

New Zealand Warriors wing Francis Meli was to join the tour yesterday after spending extra time in Auckland to have treatment for a thigh injury sustained in the NRL grand final on October 6.

The eight-match, five-test tour starts with a match against Hull on Wednesday.

- NZPA