Kiwis’ Denver experiment ignores urgent needs
A one-off mid-year test between New Zealand and England in Denver makes no sense to local fans who would rather watch the Kiwis play a World Cup rematch against Tonga on home soil.
The plan to stage a test in Denver during the June 22-24 stand-alone representative weekend is being touted as an opportunity to promote league ahead of the 2025 World Cup, which will be held in the US.
Promoters Moore Sports are behind the initiative and the idea has the backing of the cash-strapped NZRL and the support of England.
However, the proposal looks set to be knocked-back by NRL clubs after the idea received a less-than- favourable response when raised at last week’s NRL CEO’s conference.
The Warriors last week expressed concerns about players embarking on the hit-and-run long-haul trip and are seeking a full run-down from the promoters on their travel and insurance plans and the impact playing at the highest-altitude city in the United States could have on their stars’ recovery and ability to back up and play days later.
Kiwis fans are also wondering why the NZRL are so keen to be involved and why they were not campaigning just as hard to arrange what is a more logical idea: booking a showdown against Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium and locking that in as an annual fixture for the next two or three years.
That’s not to say New Zealand league fans are totally opposed to a test going ahead in the US at some point, but the timing of this game seems wrong when urgent attention is needed to help the game here.
A Kiwis-Tonga match would be a guaranteed sellout and the profits could go a long way to helping the NZRL and Tonga RL.
The NZRL are also desperately in need of positive PR and arranging a Tongan test could have seen them curry favour with disillusioned fans, who until last year’s failed World Cup campaign had not seen the Kiwis play at home since 2014.
In explaining why a test against Tonga couldn’t possibly be arranged, the NZRL argued that the Pacific Island side were already in line to play Samoa in Sydney — despite the fact Tonga made it clear their preference was to play the Kiwis.
Instead, the NZRL were pursuing a test against Fiji — but that idea seems to have fallen by the wayside with the Denver test taking precedence. So plans can be changed after all.
The fact the NZRL would also have to cover Tonga’s travel costs and match payments for both teams was offered as another reason why it couldn’t be done.
There would be a financial risk of course but I’m sure there would be a promoter or sponsor out there willing to cover the costs, given Tonga drew sellout crowds in three World Cup games in Hamilton and Auckland. Television broadcasters would want in as well.
The Sunday Telegraph reported the NZRL hope the Denver test could provide a chance to lure back Tongan World Cup defectors Jason Taumalolo, David Fusitu’a, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, and Manu Ma’u back to the Kiwis.