Rugby League: No Warriors will tour says Watson

The proposed Kiwi tour to Britain received another setback yesterday with the New Zealand Warriors refusing to release their players.

Australia pulled out of their tour on Wednesday, citing concerns over the war on terrorism, and British authorities have pleaded with New Zealand to step in to help them to reduce any financial losses that will stem from the Australian withdrawal.

But Warriors chief executive Mick Watson yesterday confirmed that no players from the team would be freed for the tour, if it does go ahead.

"First, [the tour] is not scheduled and it is obviously high-risk. If it's too risky for the Australians to go and it's obviously been evaluated by the [Australian Rugby League], then it's too risky from our outlook.

"More importantly, from a planning perspective for this to be just dropped on us is ... we start training in 10 days and it's just not on."

Seven Warriors were involved in the Kiwis' last test, against Australia in July.

Australian-based Kiwis including Stephen Kearney and Nigel Vagana had already expressed serious reservations about the tour.

Watson said the New Zealand Rugby League had to be cautious in its approach as it deliberates on the viability of the tour.

History would not remember that New Zealand were doing Britain a favour.

New Zealand have a scheduled tour of Britain next year. If the "emergency" tour goes ahead, it has the makings of a disaster with New Zealand liable to suffer the most.

"Everything else aside, I still think there's an element of danger in it.

"I don't think anybody should be heading off to London right now," Watson said.

To him, the obvious solution is to bring the tour Down Under.

"Australia and New Zealand offer a very low risk of any terrorist activity or world problems, so why not do a mini-tour of Australia and New Zealand?"

Watson said he had spoken to NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson, who was mindful of the risk and the threat of New Zealand receiving a hammering from the British players just coming off their domestic season.

Meanwhile, the Australian Rugby League is considering a shortened tour next month.

The league received a proposal yesterday from Britain and will weigh up the pros and cons of taking part in a revised three-test series without minor fixtures.

NZPA

English officials met for three-and-a-half hours yesterday and while none would discuss the "very, very tense situation" publicly, the mood was notably lighter.

"We're considering several options," a Rugby Football League spokesman said.

But others said there was a mood of optimism that hadn't been there this week.

"I think your countrymen may be thinking again," one official said.