Rugby League: Second blow for Kiwis

LONDON - Kiwi captain Richie Barnett, the Paul brothers and Joe Vagana are all out of June's home league test against France, after Britain refused to release them.

The Rugby Football League dealt new Kiwis coach Gary Freeman a much-weakened hand by rejecting a New Zealand application to release British-based players.

Fullback Barnett, a star of last year's World Cup, transferred from Sydney City to London Broncos in the off-season. Giant prop Vagana moved to Bradford Bulls from the Warriors.

They and Leeds centre Tonie Carroll are in the middle of the annual tug-of-war between the Kiwis and English clubs which had in the past centred largely on inside backs Henry and Robbie Paul, who also play at Bradford.

League executive director Greg McCallum said all would be released for the July test against Australia, but that was a one-off agreed last year. There was no more room for manoeuvre within the fixtures planning.

New Zealand and France play at Palmerston North on the weekend of June 9-10.

Vagana said the decision was disappointing, but Bradford paid his wages.

"There's nothing we can do as players, we are employed by the clubs, so that's how it goes, but it is a big thing to play for your country when you're called for," he said.

He had not thought that moving to a Northern Hemisphere club would hinder his international career, because the Pauls had always been there for tests despite the struggle to get them.

It was the second blow in a week for rookie coach Freeman, who was keen for New Zealand to have two tests against France before meeting Australia, most likely in Wellington on July 13.

Australia's National Rugby League had no problems with the Kiwis playing the first test against the French, but said clubs with New Zealand players would be unlikely to agree to the second.

Both decisions have reduced Freeman's chances of building a combination to face the world-champion Kangaroos. - NZPA