ROCKY SOLID BACKING FOR DENVER CLASH
SAM BURGESS and Wayne Bennett are among a contingent of England NRL representatives that have issued their “absolute support” for the contentious Denver clash with New Zealand in June.
Burgess’ younger brothers George and Thomas, plus fellow NRL-based players James Graham, Gareth Widdop, Elliott Whitehead, Josh Hodgson and Chris Heighington have signed the unequivocal statement released by England as controversy over the fixture rumbles on.
They referred to the evidence given by team doctor Chris Brookes in yesterday’s Mirror Sport (above). He rubbished any concerns over player safety and the travel involved in playing at Mile High Stadium, on the high plains leading up to the Rocky Mountains.
It’s the latest chapter in a power struggle between the governing bodies on opposite sides of the world, with the Australians unwilling to support the fixture.
The England statement read: “We would like to place on record our absolute support for the rugby league International game between England and New Zealand.
“We believe the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Australia demonstrated the value of the international game to our sport. We all collectively said at the time that it was important we took the opportunity to try to grow the game globally.
“Whilst we understand that there have been some concerns regarding player welfare, the England chief medical officer, Dr Chris Brookes, has made it clear he has no additional concerns with this game being played.
“We have spoken with our English-based teammates who have received the full support of their Super League clubs and we are all in agreement that it is important that this game takes place.”