Rugby League: Points scored on test officials but five-day war lost

By Peter Jessup

The New Zealand Rugby League won battles on the test front yesterday, Australia finally conceding to a neutral referee and agreeing that Englishman Stuart Cummings will control the Anzac test.

In addition one of the linesmen will come from New Zealand. Alan Caddy is the only Kiwi on the National Rugby League officials roster. And former international ref Des O'Sullivan, of Wellington, will join an Aussie for video calls.

The big battle with Bradford, to secure the services of the Paul brothers in reasonable time to prepare for the test, was lost in an argument over how long five days is. The NZRL maintained that the international agreement clearing players from club commitments for five days meant five days with the test squad: Bradford maintain it means five days out from the test.

The result is that Robbie and Henry Paul will step off an Air New Zealand flight from Manchester at 5 am Sydney time on Tuesday and have three days to adjust before the Friday game at Olympic stadium Homebush.

Coach Frank Endacott promises them a hard day on Tuesday with morning and afternoon training sessions. "They can't be in bed. That's our most important training day and we can't afford to have two playmakers not there."

He was disappointed and frustrated yesterday. "I've thrown my hands up - it certainly affects my planning but I can't do a damn thing about it."

Three of Endacott's squad are relegated to the bench for their NRL games this weekend - Nathan Cayless at Parramatta, Matt Rua at Melbourne and Tony Puletua at Penrith. Lesley Vainikolo is in reserve grade after some woeful performances that suggest a lack of confidence. Prop Craig Smith, though, goes straight to the frontline for St George/Illawarra against Canberra.

Australian coach Chris Anderson has given a strong indication he'll stick with established stars despite the poor performance of the Broncos and Manly, who supply most of them, when the Kangaroos are named after Sunday's NRL round.

"We've certainly got a tonne of talent that has already played for Australia and I don't think there's too many problems picking a good side out of the blokes that have had experience at that level. We haven't got a State of Origin to assess players and I think it's a bit tough to bring too many blokes out of club football to play for Australia.

"That would probably be unfair on them, it probably limits opportunities from young blokes to jump out of the ground."

But he said there could be a couple of new faces and confirmed drug offender Rodney Howe was under consideration despite playing only one game in the past 18 months.

Canberra captain Laurie Daley, Sydney City captain Brad Fittler or Brisbane's Allan Langer would be honoured with the captaincy, he said, indicating all three will be in the side.