NOW THINGS TO DO IN DENVER FOR ENGLAND
THE RFL is hopeful of confirming within the next week an ambitious mid-season Test between England and New Zealand in Denver.
Interim chief executive Ralph Rimmer is confident that the June fixture will be rubber-stamped before the month is out.
The match – which could be staged at NFL outfit Denver Broncos’ Mile High Stadium after promoter Jason Moore reportedly offered both parties $500,000 (£360,000) – has been opposed by some Australian clubs who are unwilling to release their players for a game played overseas.
But Rimmer believes their objections can be overcome. He said: “We’re hoping to have an announcement by the end of the month. But first there’s some PR to be sorted, some hearts and minds to be won to get us to a good place.”
The idea is the brainchild of Moore, who is seeking exposure for rugby league in the US after landing the rights to host the 2025 World Cup in that country.
The two nations last met in October 2016, NZ winning 17-16 in Huddersfield.
The future of England coach Wayne Bennett is still to be resolved, with Rimmer stating the RFL are keen to make an appointment that will run to the 2021 World Cup, when the veteran Australian will be 71.
Rimmer said: “When we announce the coaching set-up, it has to be a four-year programme that gets us to the World Cup.”