Super Cronk
26-05-06, 06:46 PM
SMH.com.au
Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway has launched a scathing attack on mid-season Tests after confirming the NRL club would refuse to release Great Britain winger Brian Carney for next month's clash with New Zealand in England.
Conway told AAP it would be unacceptable for Carney to miss two games for the Knights due to the travel demands if he played in the one-off Test against the Kiwis in St Helens on June 27.
"My understanding is that the Sydney clubs aren't releasing their Kiwi players for the game," Conway pointed out.
"Brian has expressed the view that he wants to play in all of our matches.
"That would mean playing Tuesday (in England) and flying back home to play on the weekend. Playing three league games in a week is too much for anybody.
"Coupled with all that flying, it would take him a month to get over it.
"If the game was part of an official Tri-Nations series then we'd certainly consider it but for a one-off Test match we think it's unreasonable."
Conway criticised the representative schedule, arguing the Test between Tri-Nations champion New Zealand and Australia earlier this month should never have been played.
The Kangaroos hammered the Kiwis 50-12 in Brisbane - a result which Conway believes has done more harm than good for international rugby league.
"That sort of programming runs the risk of taking away the attraction from the Tri-Nations series later in the year," said Conway.
"If you look at most of the one-off Tests out here they've been thrashings and it's indicative of the fact visiting teams aren't in a position to prepare for them."
The Sydney Roosters haven't taken the same hardline stance with Adrian Morley, with chief executive Brian Canavan confirming the intimidating prop would be allowed to play for Great Britain despite concern over his wrist and thumb injuries.
"He really wants to play in the Test and we're honoured to give him that chance because of the service he's given to our club," Canavan said.
The situation is not as problematic for the Roosters, who have a round 17 bye in the weekend after the Test, which Kiwi coach Brian McClennan says could become the equivalent of State of Origin for the combatants.
Conway said Carney understood Newcastle's stance on the issue.
"Like any other player he'd like to take part in the Test but he realises it's impractical without missing a couple of our games for us and he doesn't want to do that," Conway added.
The Kiwis will be missing Warrington captain Paul Rauhihi, who is facing a three-month lay-off with a back injury.
It's been a tough year for the 32-year-old. The former North Queensland prop tore a hamstring on his Warrington debut in February and was sidelined for six weeks.
Rauhihi will meet McClennan on Sunday to discuss the latest setback.
"It's massively disappointing and I'm really down," he said.
"I'm targeting a return in August. Whilst I'm injured I'll be there in the stands watching the boys."
Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway has launched a scathing attack on mid-season Tests after confirming the NRL club would refuse to release Great Britain winger Brian Carney for next month's clash with New Zealand in England.
Conway told AAP it would be unacceptable for Carney to miss two games for the Knights due to the travel demands if he played in the one-off Test against the Kiwis in St Helens on June 27.
"My understanding is that the Sydney clubs aren't releasing their Kiwi players for the game," Conway pointed out.
"Brian has expressed the view that he wants to play in all of our matches.
"That would mean playing Tuesday (in England) and flying back home to play on the weekend. Playing three league games in a week is too much for anybody.
"Coupled with all that flying, it would take him a month to get over it.
"If the game was part of an official Tri-Nations series then we'd certainly consider it but for a one-off Test match we think it's unreasonable."
Conway criticised the representative schedule, arguing the Test between Tri-Nations champion New Zealand and Australia earlier this month should never have been played.
The Kangaroos hammered the Kiwis 50-12 in Brisbane - a result which Conway believes has done more harm than good for international rugby league.
"That sort of programming runs the risk of taking away the attraction from the Tri-Nations series later in the year," said Conway.
"If you look at most of the one-off Tests out here they've been thrashings and it's indicative of the fact visiting teams aren't in a position to prepare for them."
The Sydney Roosters haven't taken the same hardline stance with Adrian Morley, with chief executive Brian Canavan confirming the intimidating prop would be allowed to play for Great Britain despite concern over his wrist and thumb injuries.
"He really wants to play in the Test and we're honoured to give him that chance because of the service he's given to our club," Canavan said.
The situation is not as problematic for the Roosters, who have a round 17 bye in the weekend after the Test, which Kiwi coach Brian McClennan says could become the equivalent of State of Origin for the combatants.
Conway said Carney understood Newcastle's stance on the issue.
"Like any other player he'd like to take part in the Test but he realises it's impractical without missing a couple of our games for us and he doesn't want to do that," Conway added.
The Kiwis will be missing Warrington captain Paul Rauhihi, who is facing a three-month lay-off with a back injury.
It's been a tough year for the 32-year-old. The former North Queensland prop tore a hamstring on his Warrington debut in February and was sidelined for six weeks.
Rauhihi will meet McClennan on Sunday to discuss the latest setback.
"It's massively disappointing and I'm really down," he said.
"I'm targeting a return in August. Whilst I'm injured I'll be there in the stands watching the boys."