Global warning: Bennett issues plea to NRL
Opposing coaches Michael Maguire and Wayne Bennett were united in their calls for rugby league to persevere with its American experiment following the Kiwis’ clash against England in Denver.
The first test of a three-year agreement to take a test to the US resulted in Bennett’s English side powering to a 36-18 victory in front of 19,320 fans at Mile High Stadium yesterday.
However, there are doubts as to whether NRL clubs will release players next year if the match is not shifted to the end of the season.
The clubs are strongly opposed to holding the game in the mid-season representative window due to player welfare concerns around the longhaul travel, altitude of Denver and short recovery time to backup for NRL games.
But Bennett warned that they may not have anything to worry about in the future if officials do not start to broaden their horizons.
‘‘The game needs to recognise the importance of it,’’ the legendary Broncos coach said. ‘‘If we don’t have a global product we’re not going to have a product in 20 years.
‘‘Sport is changing that quickly and kids are growing up with all the sports from around the world.
‘‘I want to be in the market place where we can take rugby league where people know about it and want to come see it and want to play it.’’
The former Queensland coach also took a shot at the double standards NRL clubs have between State of Origin and test football.
‘‘There’s players playing Origin tonight in Australia that will have to back up for their clubs in Thursday,’’ he said.
‘‘With better scheduling we don’t have to have our players back up on Thursday for this game but it just needs some co-operation.
‘‘We need to get our head out of the sand.
‘‘If we were to start Origin now, it would never start.’’
With so many of New Zealand’s stars unavailable for a number of reasons, Maguire was forced to name seven debutants in his first match in charge.
Their inexperience showed as the Kiwis faded away in the second half but that did not put him off returning
‘‘We need to get our head out of the sand. If we were to start Origin now, it would never start.’’ Wayne Bennett, above
to the US in the future.
‘‘I always knew the international game was special but it’s right up in the experiences I’ve been able to have as a coach and we should bring it together more in some way,’’ Maguire said.
‘‘We’ve got to recognise that we’ve got a very special product and if we can get it out there more like we did today I think it will really grow our game.’’
The players appeared to escape without any serious injuries, though Kiwis back-rower Raymond FaitalaMariner did have an issue with his hand.
Kiwis veteran Issac Luke admitted they struggled with 30 degree celsius temperatures and the high altitude did take some getting used to.
It mainly affected the kicking game as the Kiwis sent three restarts dead, while halves Kodi Nikorima and Te Maire Martin failed to adapt to the fast surface and short in-goals.
But Luke said the trip was generally well-received by the players.
‘‘Obviously, we didn’t get the result and we came over to do a job but everyone soaked in the atmosphere. And as much as the crowd loved it, we enjoyed on the field as well,’’ the Warriors hooker said.