Aussies’ altitude problem
WAYNE BENNETT and England’s eight Aussie-based players have come out fighting in the Denver power struggle.
England’s mid-season rugby league Test against New Zealand in America has been put in doubt because of objections from the NRL.
The Aussie clubs, who will not gain financially from the game, will try to veto it to stop their players from appearing.
They claim they have safety concerns about the June 23 clash being played at altitude and also insurance worries if players get injured.
But England coach Bennett and his stars have hit back and issued a statement.
It read: “We believe that the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Australia demonstrated the value of the international game to our sport.
“We collectively said at the time that it was important we took the opportunity to try to grow the game globally and believe that this mid-season window provides the perfect opportunity for the sport to showcase itself to a new public in North America.
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“While we understand that there have been some concerns regarding player welfare, the England chief medical officer, Dr Chris Brookes, has made it clear to us that he has no additional concerns with this game being played in Denver.
“We have spoken with our English-based team-mates, 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.”
The eight players who have signed it are Sam, George and Tom Burgess, James Graham, Chris Heighington, Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead and Gareth Widdop.
In a separate statement, Sam Burgess said: “We understand the game needs to grown.
“It could be seen as short sighted if we do not want the game to be played there. It’s potentially a lack of vision.
“If they took an Origin game to America, I do not think anyone would bat an eyelid.”