Rugby League: Push for neutral test ref

By Peter Jessup

The New Zealand Rugby League has given Australian referees the big thumbs down in demanding a neutral whistle-blower for the Anzac test.

The National Rugby League had assumed that its top man, Bill Harrigan, would rule the game at Stadium Australia on April 23.

But the NZRL yesterday officially notified the Australian Rugby League, which still runs the international game across the Tasman, that it wanted adherence to international agreements that stipulate test referees should be neutral.

Under Rugby League International Federation rules, Australia still gets to make the appointment but it then requires New Zealand approval.

The NZRL also wants compliance with the rule requiring a referee from each country to rule on the video.

NZRL chief executive officer Gary Allcock said he was seeking answers to a range of questions, including details of ticket sales but the ARL appeared to be regrouping after the New South Wales/Queensland battle that ended with a court-enforced vote for a new board.

There is some common ground between some Anzac opponents. The Parramatta club has allowed the Kiwis use of their gym and ground.

The Eels have 140 New Zealand-born players throughout their grades, including test incumbents Jarrod McCracken and Nathan Cayless and former Junior Kiwi centre David Kidwell.

The Kiwis assemble in Sydney on April 20 and will have at least one run at the Olympic venue before the day of the game.

Meanwhile, Kiwi fullback/wing Richie Barnett should be okay for the test and may even be up to playing for Sydney City against North Queensland this weekend after being stretchered off Ericsson last Sunday. Barnett is still suffering muscle spasm but has no permanent neck damage.

But the Melbourne Storm have lost their second New Zealand international forward to suspension. Lock Tawera Nikau pleaded guilty to making a dangerous tackle at the weekend and was outed for two weeks.

Storm chief executive, Chris Johns, was in Sydney yesterday to present fresh evidence to judiciary chief, Justice Woods, in an appeal on second-rower Stephen Kearney's five-match suspension for a dangerous throw.