At a glance
Plans are in the works for the Kiwis to meet Tonga next year while the New Zealand Rugby League is yet to make a final decision on its ongoing involvement in the Denver test.
The future of the international game became clearer over the weekend following a meeting in Singapore where the board of the RLIF, test football’s governing body, agreed to a long-term calendar.
Key elements of the schedule were announced Monday and, from a Kiwis perspective, they include World Cups in 2021 and 2025, annual tests between against the Kangaroos, tours to the UK this year and 2022 and British Lions tours to the southern hemisphere (2019 and 2024).
The RLIF board also ensured there was a platform for other countries to compete against toptier nations. There remains room for bilateral tests to be added to the schedule. quickly to keep the gap between themselves in eighth place on the ladder and the teams below who are desperately trying to make the playoffs.
To help the Warriors’ cause, their coach Stephen Kearney has been able to select Tohu Harris, Adam Blair and Issac Luke for the game.
Harris has been out injured for the last four games with a knee
The decision by the NZRL to pursue a match against England in the US ahead of a high-profile rematch against Tonga in June Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, David Fusitu’a, Gerard Beale, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Blake Green, Shaun Johnson, James Gavet, Issac Luke, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali’i, Tohu Harris, Adam Blair. Interchange (from): Jazz Tevaga, Simon Mannering, Leivaha Pulu, Bunty Afoa, Peta Hiku, Mason Lino, Sam Lisone, Joe Vuna. Dragons: Matt Duffey, Jordan Pereira, Euan Aitken, Timoteo Lafai, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Ben Hunt, James Graham, Cameron McInnes, Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims, Jack de Belin. Interchange (from): Jeremy Latimore, Kurt Mann, Leeson Ah Mau, Luciano Leilua, Patrick Herbert, Blake Lawrie, Zachary Lomax, Mitchell Allgood.
was met with general surprise given the popularity of Jason Taumalolo and co at last year’s World Cup.
But NZRL chief executive Greg Peters, who was only appointed to the role in May, said there was a strong push to host a