Kangaroos Kiwis call for year-ending Tests despite World Cup boycott

While the Kangaroos and Kiwis won’t play in the northern hemisphere due to safety concerns, Meninga and Maguire hope Test matches can still be held at the conclusion of the current NRL season.

“That would be a fantastic outcome,” Meninga told the Herald.

Shaun Johnson and Tyson Frizell at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium in 2019.Credit:Getty

“International rugby league has an obligation to play games in the northern and southern hemisphere to keep the game going.

“If you look at the international game and where we are, we want to make sure the international game prospers.

“The International Rugby League needs money. How do they survive another 12 months from a financial point of view until the World Cup?

“If the World Cup doesn’t go ahead, how do they survive? We’ve got to come up with two separate plans, one down here [in the southern hemisphere] and one up there to keep the game alive and to make money for the International Rugby League until we get through this pandemic.

“The best outcome would be a postponement until next year. Then we do some international games here and some international games in the northern hemisphere to keep the game buzzing along.

“That would support the commitment of sponsors and supporters up there crying out for more international rugby league.”

The Kiwis are the No.1 Test team in the world and would have been the top seeds had they participated in the World Cup. Maguire said it was important his team kept active despite the boycott decision.

“Definitely. It’s really important we have the international game on the agenda at the end of the year because it’s a big part of what the game is about,” Maguire said.

“It gives players of New Zealand who excel right throughout the year an opportunity to represent their country. There’s not one Kiwi player that takes it lightly, it’s a real passionate piece for the boys to represent their country.

“To be their coach and see them wear the jersey with the pride they have is special. I think it’s very important the game works out a way to get some international games at the end of the year.”

Maguire added that Test matches should be taken to New Zealand as soon as possible given the Warriors haven’t played at home for 18 months.

“A lot of players across the game do come from New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa, the [Cook] Islands are important to the game as well,” he said.

The Rugby League Players’ Association said individual players - rather than administrators - should have the right to make a decision on World Cup participation.

“The news overnight that Australia and New Zealand will not compete in the 2021 World Cup is no doubt disappointing for players who were hoping to represent their nations in the tournament,” said RLPA CEO Clint Newton.

“We have had feedback from a number of players eligible for these nations stating their intentions to compete in the tournament, pending more information becoming available in the coming weeks.

“Clearly, the views of those players have not been enough to prevent this decision and we believe it has been made prematurely.

“We have worked closely with Rugby League World Cup staff for some time now and we are committed to continuing those discussions regarding player health and safety protocols.

“We have an obligation to advocate on behalf of all players to secure the best possible terms and conditions for the tournament, and this remains ongoing.

“For players representing remaining participating nations, our priority will be to help ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place, and also provide them with the relevant information to make an informed decision about participation.

“We had anticipated that players from Australia and New Zealand would have that same opportunity, which has unfortunately been taken away from them with last night’s decision.”

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Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.

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