Rugby League: More tests vital says Endacott

The international test programme needs a rocket, former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott said yesterday.

New Zealand play Australia in a one-off game in Wellington on October 12. Endacott said an isolated test did little for the sport.

"There's no value in one-off tests. The international scene needs a rocket up its backside," Endacott said.

"They have talked about the lack of test series, but nothing is happening. It's just talk. One-off test matches are not the answer."

Those type of tests, with limited preparation and often long-distance travel, provided blowout scores, as was the case in the 52-0 Anzac test loss before the World Cup in 2000, he said.

"We need to get back to three-test series, because teams get better after the first test.

"I would also like to see the tri-series [Australia, Kiwis and Britain] return and be played every two years.

"But nothing is moving in terms of increasing the international schedule. Australia tend to hold things up because they put more emphasis on the NRL. Clubs in Britain are guilty, too."

Endacott, who also coached the Warriors and Wigan, said all parties needed to put the global game first.

New South Wales State of Origin coach Phil Gould said he wanted the ARL to beef up its representative schedule in respect of New Zealand and Great Britain.

The last time New Zealand and Australia faced off in a three-match series was in 1998.

Endacott believes Gary Freeman's Kiwis have a chance of beating the Kangaroos in Wellington.

"You always have a chance at home.

"I was coach for seven years and we only played Australia five times at home, and we won three of them."

- NZPA