Quote:

 

NRL boss David Gallop has finally acted on the growing anger over player burnout by switching next year's Anzac Test match and City-Country to a stand-alone weekend.

And from 2013, Origin matches will be switched to Monday nights to give players at least four days to recover for their club games.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned senior NRL staff have been working on a major scheduling overhaul for weeks after an avalanche of complaints from players and coaches about the workload on rep stars.

Gallop will meet Channel Nine boss David Gyngell and Fox Sports executives next week to brief them on the proposed changes before the clubs are informed at next month's chief executives' meeting.

From next year, the Australia-New Zealand Test will be played on a Friday night with City-County to follow on Sunday afternoon. All clubs will have a bye that weekend.

Rugby League Nut

Jun 19 2011, 07:24 AM

It's about time it was held on a stand-a-lone weekend.

Now they need to have other international games over the same weekend.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/david-gallop-responds-to-concerns-over-player-burnout/story-e6frexv9-1226077580942

Quote:

 

NRL boss David Gallop has finally acted on the growing anger over player burnout by switching next year's Anzac Test match and City-Country to a stand-alone weekend.

And from 2013, Origin matches will be switched to Monday nights to give players at least four days to recover for their club games.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned senior NRL staff have been working on a major scheduling overhaul for weeks after an avalanche of complaints from players and coaches about the workload on rep stars.

Gallop will meet Channel Nine boss David Gyngell and Fox Sports executives next week to brief them on the proposed changes before the clubs are informed at next month's chief executives' meeting.

From next year, the Australia-New Zealand Test will be played on a Friday night with City-County to follow on Sunday afternoon. All clubs will have a bye that weekend.

sportsmad

Jun 19 2011, 12:03 PM

You would have to think its just a matter of time before we see 3 or 4 rep games that weekend. Perhaps maori vs aboriginals, samoa vs tonga, fiji vs png...

Force

Jun 19 2011, 12:23 PM

sportsmad

Jun 19 2011, 12:03 PM

You would have to think its just a matter of time before we see 3 or 4 rep games that weekend. Perhaps maori vs aboriginals, samoa vs tonga, fiji vs png...

That would be good.And if they have the S.O.O on a stand alone weekend then we can have the same teams Fiji vs PNG etc...playing aswell.Include OZ based Malta,Lebanon,Italy etc... and maybe U20 teams playing too.We need to start making the international game the pinnacle of rugby league.

Force

Jun 19 2011, 12:23 PM

sportsmad

Jun 19 2011, 12:03 PM

You would have to think its just a matter of time before we see 3 or 4 rep games that weekend. Perhaps maori vs aboriginals, samoa vs tonga, fiji vs png...

That would be good.And if they have the S.O.O on a stand alone weekend then we can have the same teams Fiji vs PNG etc...playing aswell.Include OZ based Malta,Lebanon,Italy etc... and maybe U20 teams playing too.We need to start making the international game the pinnacle of rugby league.

sportsmad

Jun 19 2011, 12:03 PM

You would have to think its just a matter of time before we see 3 or 4 rep games that weekend. Perhaps maori vs aboriginals, samoa vs tonga, fiji vs png...

sportsmad

Jun 24 2011, 01:10 PM

well the good news is that is already starting.

Steve mascoud wrote in his column that a double header is now being planned for that weekend at mt smart stadium. Samoa v tonga and junior kiwis v junior kangaroos

Quote:

 

Christchurch could lose Anzac rugby league test


Rugby league authorities will have to reluctantly move next year's Anzac Test from Christchurch if AMI Stadium is not available.

The clash between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos was due to be held in the city last May but had to be moved to the Gold Coast because of damage at AMI Stadium in the February 22 earthquake. But the New Zealand and Australian Rugby Leagues pledged to bring the match back to Christchurch in 2012.

New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) chief executive Jim Doyle said yesterday that was still their intention – but it was dependent on the availability of AMI Stadium.

"We are, in a sense, reviewing our Plan B, and are waiting for feedback from the Christchurch City Council as to their definite plans for the stadium."

Doyle said with nine months to go before the Anzac test there was no urgency – yet.

"We would like to leave it as late as possible because we would really like to have the test match there."

A number of critical factors would determine if the test could be staged in Christchurch, including whether the stadium was going to be rebuilt in time, its capacity which had ramifications "from a commercial point of view" and the "timeline for finishing it", he said.

If the test – traditionally staged in Australia around the date of the Anzac Day commemoration – could not go ahead in Christchurch the NZRL would like to stage it elsewhere in New Zealand, Doyle said.

They would look at every available alternate venue, including Dunedin's new Forsyth Barr stadium.

"If Christchurch isn't available and we could go to a venue relatively close to Christchurch, that's maybe something we could look at to show our support."

But Doyle stressed that Christchurch remained the NZRL's first choice. "When we took last year's Anzac test to the Gold Coast, we said we would bring next year's test back to Christchurch. But obviously, none of us were aware then of the [impact of] aftershocks and earthquakes that have occurred since."

Quote:

 

They would look at every available alternate venue, including Dunedin's new Forsyth Barr stadium

sportsmad

Jun 19 2011, 12:03 PM

You would have to think its just a matter of time before we see 3 or 4 rep games that weekend. Perhaps maori vs aboriginals, samoa vs tonga, fiji vs png...

strayrabbit

Aug 7 2011, 08:36 PM

sportsmad

Jun 19 2011, 12:03 PM

You would have to think its just a matter of time before we see 3 or 4 rep games that weekend. Perhaps maori vs aboriginals, samoa vs tonga, fiji vs png...

we don't need a maori v aboriginal game lets stop taking two steps back........
we need countries playing countries ... internationals need to be the Pinnacle of our game........

Quote:

 

International rugby league, showcasing some of the superstars of the game, could be in the frame for next year's Dunedin sporting calendar, because of doubts about the availability of AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
Those doubts were confirmed yesterday afternoon, after engineers recommended to the Christchurch City Council the Hadlee stand at AMI Stadium be demolished, and a Christchurch city councillor said the stadium would not be available for the 2012 season.

New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle yesterday said discussions with Dunedin Venues Management Ltd were ‘‘very, very preliminary'', but the stadium was one being considered for next year's Anzac test between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos.

Both Forsyth Barr Stadium management and league southern zone general manager Steve Martin were yesterday very keen to attract the match.

DVML chief executive David Davies said: ‘‘We absolutely want to bring it here. It's an iconic event.''

The annual league clash between New Zealand and Australia was moved from Christchurch to the Gold Coast in May, after the AMI Stadium sustained serious damage in the February 22 earthquake.

The NZRL said at the time both it and the Australian Rugby League were committed to returning the Anzac test to Christchurch next year, but Doyle said yesterday other New Zealand stadiums were now being considered.

Doyle emphasised the NZRL was also still talking to AMI Stadium administrators, but from the NZRL's point of view, keeping the game in the South Island, so Christchurch people could still attend, would be a positive option.

He said Martin was also ‘‘pretty keen'' on the option.

Martin said yesterday he would ‘‘absolutely'' advocate the idea of the game being held at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

‘‘I can probably say I've been aware of the fact there's been discussions between the NZRL and DVML.

‘‘It would be very exciting for the league and the sporting community if the Anzac test could be played at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.''

From his time as coach of the Otago rugby team, he was aware plenty of rugby fans from Christchurch travelled to Dunedin for test matches at Carisbrook, and he expected the same would happen for rugby league.

There had been growth of the game in the South, and the discussions showed that was recognised by the national body.

Davies said while he could not discuss business negotiations, ‘‘every effort is being made to bring the game to Dunedin''.

He expected to find out ‘‘sooner rather than later'' whether the event would be booked, as the NZRL would not want the matter left unresolved for long.

Doyle said he expected a decision to be made ‘‘in a couple of weeks'', though he was not in a rush.

Quote:

 

Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium has firmed as a contender for next year's Anzac test between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos.
The New Zealand Rugby League confirmed yesterday the stadium was in a two-horse race with Eden Park to host the test and, while the stadium faces the might of Auckland, the situation appears to have grown more favourable in the past few weeks.

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive David Davies said yesterday he was "really glad" to hear that news.

With confirmation yesterday the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar would play an A-League match at the stadium in December, Davies said it showed people had been watching what had been happening in the city during the Rugby World Cup, and the way the public had responded.

He said stadium representatives would be travelling to Australia in November to have further discussions with rugby league representatives, looking for opportunities to bring top-level league to Dunedin.

News on the Anzac test was expected yesterday, but NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle was headed to Australia, and marketing manager Trina Tamati said the league would wait until after the Rugby World Cup to make a final decision.

Rugby League Nut

Sep 30 2011, 09:09 AM

Dunedin continues to firm as venue for 2012 ANZAC test

http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/180155/league-stadium-firms-venue-anzac-test

Quote:

 

Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium has firmed as a contender for next year's Anzac test between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos.
The New Zealand Rugby League confirmed yesterday the stadium was in a two-horse race with Eden Park to host the test and, while the stadium faces the might of Auckland, the situation appears to have grown more favourable in the past few weeks.

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive David Davies said yesterday he was "really glad" to hear that news.

With confirmation yesterday the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar would play an A-League match at the stadium in December, Davies said it showed people had been watching what had been happening in the city during the Rugby World Cup, and the way the public had responded.

He said stadium representatives would be travelling to Australia in November to have further discussions with rugby league representatives, looking for opportunities to bring top-level league to Dunedin.

News on the Anzac test was expected yesterday, but NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle was headed to Australia, and marketing manager Trina Tamati said the league would wait until after the Rugby World Cup to make a final decision.

Quote:

 

Rugby League's Anzac test will be held at Eden Park on April 20th this year.

It's the first time a league test will be held there since the Kiwis test against the Kangaroos in 2010, where crowd behaviour was a major problem.

New Zealand Rugby League CEO Jim Doyle isn't expecting to have the same issues this time around.

He says security's improved a lot since then, and they will implement the lessons they learnt from that test.

Doyle's expecting a crowd of up to 40,000 people.

Heil Vichy

Jan 16 2012, 03:08 PM

How can the NZRU allow this to happen?

Heil Vichy

Jan 16 2012, 03:29 PM

The whole reason they expanded Eden Park was for the RWC.

Embarrassing that there is no RWC legacy left in NZ.

League and Cricket have defiled the fields.

chris sanders

Jan 16 2012, 04:01 PM

The NZ Rugby Union does not own Eden Park.Cricket once did but now the taxpayer does!!In fact the NZRU own no major ground here in NZ, but Rugby League do and that's Carlaw Park, which is owned by the Clubs of Auckland which is worth millions and millions and milions of dollars!!
This makes Auckland Rugby League the richest sport in New Zealand!

chris sanders

Jan 16 2012, 07:07 PM

I tell the truth and Rugby Union own nothing in reguards to Eden Park.Not one blade of grass!!

sportsmad

Jan 16 2012, 08:29 PM

I was actually expecting dunedin to get the nod. Nzrl would most likely have made this decision purely on monetary grounds and fair enough too. I still would have loved to see such a high profile game played in dunedin. actually, has dunedin ever hosted a first class rugby league game?...

chris sanders

Jan 17 2012, 04:34 AM

Rugby Union sold a lot of their grounds off years ago Polly.The Auckland Rugby Union sold their ground at Haast Street,Remuera in 1950 for 4,500 pounds to the College Rifles club here in Auckland and now it's a feehold ground worth millions and millions,which effectly makes College Rifles the richest Rugby Union club in the Country as it's considered prime real estate.
In the 1920's, Otago Rugby League were the richest Rugby League District in thewhole Country with their own ground and their own arch union or lottery.They loaned all their money to the NZRL which was never,ever paid back.The sport soon died off in the region and if it wasn't for the intervention of the 2 World Wars,Rugby League would of been the National Game!
Those photos of Carlaw Park were made some time ago and there has been much re-development work since.There's now an old folks home plus a hotel on it, of which the ARL get plenty of rent from, which amounts to about $2.5 million a year and the lease is renewed once every 4 years.
And you are right.The Council owns the Addington Showgrounds but I think the Canterbury Rugby League own the old Grandstands on it.This was the case with the old Rugby League Park in Wellington and now Wellington RU have moved into there.
It's now the Hurricanes Super 15 Rugby training ground!

dragons4eva

Jan 16 2012, 08:03 PM

Its about time the NZRL get an Anzac Test in their own country!

ParraEelsNRL

Jan 16 2012, 09:58 PM

Should've rebuilt the stadium, what a great location.

chris sanders

Jan 17 2012, 05:02 PM

Well blame our officials here in NZ about that because they are dumb Parra.John McDonald, the boss of Queensland Rugby League, is all right and so was Ross Livermore,the recently retired CEO of the Queensland Rugby League too andTas Baiteri,the Chief Development Officer of the RLIF, tells the truth and that's what we expect from our officials and employees in Rugby league because I also tell the truth!
We aren't asking much NRL-TGG!

Mortlad

Jan 17 2012, 12:20 PM

dragons4eva

Jan 16 2012, 08:03 PM

Its about time the NZRL get an Anzac Test in their own country!

Hang on, in fairness let's remember why the ANZAC test wasn't played in NZ last year.
That's right, there was a massive earthquake in Christchurch a couple of months earlier and the city hadn't recovered (still hasn't).
The Gold Coast was the most viable alternative at short notice.
The NZRL flew 300 fans over to watch the game at Skilled.

chris sanders

Jan 18 2012, 08:01 PM

They could get more if the RL officials and overpaid employees were on the ball and used their brains for a change, because the Auckland Rugby League, who control the whole game here in NZ(the Auckland Mafia)should prop up the NZRL by donating a $50,000 car which is rafflled off at half-time if the punters put all their tickets into a big bin, which is then turned around and around and the winning ticket is then drawn out of the bin by a cop.Gimmicks like that bring bums on seats and this is what former RRL President,Akhmet Kamaldinov did in September 2002, when Russia played USA at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, before a crowd of 40,000!
He raffled off a $50,000(US) car at half-time!!

chris sanders

Jan 18 2012, 08:44 PM

Well!It guarantees a crowd and the Auckland Rugby League could do with something like this Parra, considering that their flagship side, the Vulcans,usually draw 26 people per game at Mt Smart no2 for NSW Cup games.
There are more officials and employees at the games than spectactors!!

chris sanders

Jan 18 2012, 07:01 PM

Grown in people watching but not participating International League!A bit of a difference in my book and if they can't get 50,000 there's something wrong!

Quote:

 

It would also mean more supporters at games

chris sanders

Jan 19 2012, 03:33 PM

If there was such a growth in playing numbers here in NZ, International league,why did the New Zealand Rugby League allow the Coaching Director,Daniel Floyd,who has never coached a Rugby League team in his life,to go down the road to the Warriors if he's that good.

Quote:

 

International rugby league is heading back to Eden Park with the NZRL confirming today that the first of their two 2012 clashes against Australia will be played at New Zealand's largest stadium on Friday, April 20.

Eden Park CEO, David Kennedy, welcomed confirmation of the Test. "It's great to see New Zealand rugby league's biggest international of the year coming to New Zealand's premier stadium."

Eden Park hosted eleven Rugby World Cup matches last year, including both the semi-finals and the final. NZRL CEO Jim Doyle says, "It is now an excellent facility and we want the Kiwis to be playing on the biggest and best stage we have." Doyle continues, "This promises to be a fantastic night out for all families and fans. We're expecting a great crowd to come along and support the Kiwis."

Rugby league crowds are certainly not newcomers to Eden Park. When the Kiwis and Kangaroos clashed in the 2010 Four Nations, there were 44,324 at the ground. That was the second largest crowd the NZRL had seen for a game, behind the 47,363 that watched the 1988 World Cup final, also at Eden Park.

The last time New Zealand hosted the Anzac Test was back in 1998. That year the Kiwis, helped by a couple of Kevin Iro tries, won 22-16 at North Harbour Stadium. But that's also the last time New Zealand won the annual fixture.

In a move welcomed by the NZRL, players from both teams will benefit from this year's Test being played as a standalone fixture, with no NRL games scheduled that weekend.

Tickets for the 2012 VB Test Match go on sale through Ticketek (0800 842 538, www.ticketek.co.nz and all agencies,) from Friday, February 3.

2012 VB Test Match
Friday, April 20 at Eden Park, Auckland
Eden Park

The crowd capacity at Eden Park in April 2012 will be 50,000. (With temporary seating, the ground could handle 60,000 during the 2011 Rugby World Cup).

Rugby league crowds at Eden Park have included:

47,363 1988 World Cup Final (NZ vs Aus)
44,324 2010 Four Nations (NZ vs Aus)
38,412 2011 NRL (Vodafone Warriors vs Parramatta Eels)

Anzac Tests

The last three Anzac Test results have been:

2011 20-10 Australia
2010 12-8 Australia
2009 38-10 Australia

With 11 Anzac Tests played in Australia and just one in New Zealand, since the first game in 1997, the home team has won every match.

On home soil

This is the first Anzac Test in New Zealand since 1998. The Kiwis won then 22-16 at North Harbour Stadium. (NZ: Kevin Iro (2), Sean Hoppe and Terry Hermansson tries. Matthew Ridge 3 goals. AUS: Terry Hill (2) and Steve Renouf tries. Mat Rogers 2 goals. Attendance: 24,620).

The 1998 Anzac Test teams were:

NZ: Matthew Ridge (c), Sean Hoppe, Richard Blackmore, Ruben Wiki, Richard Barnett, Robbie Paul, Stacey Jones, John Lomax, Henry Paul, Quentin Pongia, Jarrod McCracken, Tony Iro, Logan Swann. Interchange: Nigel Vagana, Terry Hermansson, Kevin Iro, Joe Vagana. Coach: Frank Endacott.

AUS: Robbie O'Davis, Wendell Sailor, Terry Hill, Steve Renouf, Mat Rogers, Laurie Dailey (c), Andrew Johns, Rodney Howe, Geoff Toovey, Paul Harragon, Steve Menzies, Brad Thorn, Brad Fittler. Interchange: Darren Lockyer, Nik Kosef, Glenn Lazarus, Dean Pay. Coach: Bob Fulton.

* Current Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney, who was a key player in the second row of the Kiwis at that time, missed the 1998 Anzac Test through suspension.

The Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy

Bill Kelly was born in Westport in 1892. He played rugby league for Wellington, Balmain, NSW, New Zealand and Australia. He later also coached Auckland and New Zealand. Bill died in 1975 and the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy has been played for between New Zealand and Australia in Anzac Tests since 1997.

chris sanders

Jan 21 2012, 03:43 PM

The NZRL can't count the numbers properly dragons4eva!Only 9,000 registered players!A case of triple vision and the NZRL are now reading these posts and how come they haven't pulled me into line and challenge me over this??
Because they are too scared as I can trap them!

dragons4eva

Jan 21 2012, 08:34 AM

I find it interesting how there are around 30k RL players actively playing in NZ yet they're expecting 40k + at this game? Interesting?

chris sanders

Jan 21 2012, 07:09 PM

And they don't pay their registration fees too!They counted the people that play tig and tag.How come there's only 15,000 registered Rugby League players in PNG where Rugby League is king in a population of 8.5 million yet there's more here??
I have noticed no difference and I'm prepared to challenge the NZRL over this along with a few others!
See ya in court NZRL and I hope you lot pay your lawyer fees and didn't you lot chicken shit when Auckland Rugby League threatened Legal action over you lot??!!

Ngati League

Jan 21 2012, 05:28 PM

dragons4eva

Jan 21 2012, 08:34 AM

I find it interesting how there are around 30k RL players actively playing in NZ yet they're expecting 40k + at this game? Interesting?

Dude players have families.

chris sanders

Jan 22 2012, 02:03 PM

Still not the real McCoy and Rugby Union clubs also play the same game!