TO: NZRL Staff, Districts and Affiliates and Board

FROM: Cushla Dawson

DATE: 09 February 2009

RE: Media Summary Tuesday 10 February to Monday 16 February 2009

Sparc Welcomes Landmark Report For Future Of League: SPARC congratulates the Independent Review Committee for completing a thorough and robust review which provides in New Zealand with a blueprint to be a sustainable, vibrant and growing sport. SPARC also applauds the vision and courage of the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) Board for unanimously endorsing the Review recommendations.

Big changes in line for rugby league: NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden has welcomed the chance to work alongside SPARC to establish a new era for the game. He said both the NZRL board and the district leagues throughout the country had enthusiastically embraced the recommendations made by the Independent Review Committee as a result of its review of rugby league in New Zealand.

Report red cards NZRL bosses: Heads will have to roll if the New Zealand Rugby League is to get a cash bailout. A damning report has slammed the game's administrators at all levels and some are set to lose their jobs. Sunday News can reveal the soon-to-be-released Sparc report into the NZRL's affairs reveals the beleaguered organisation will be offered a cash injection, believed to be close to half a million dollars, but only if a raft of changes are made to the way the game is run.

Report demands code must change: A DAMNING report to be released tomorrow demands immediate and wholesale change to the sport of rugby league in New Zealand if it is to "have a future". Calling the past eight years a "sorry chapter in the history" of league, the Anderson Report is relentlessly critical of the sport's management since 2000. The Sparc-sponsored review, led by former cricket boss Sir John Anderson, aims a trenchant swipe at more than $2 million thrown away on foolish pub purchases.

Former Brisbane Bronco Greg Eastwood denied UK visa: NEW Zealand star Greg Eastwood faces an uncertain future after his failure to secure the visa that would have cleared him to join champions Leeds. Eastwood, 21, has been refused the visa by the British High Commission in Canberra. It is believed the decision was made due to a driving conviction. He is the fourth high-profile overseas player this year to fall victim to a clampdown on entry requirements.

Gallop on the money about panic merchants: If rugby league were a psychiatric patient, the diagnosis would be simple: chronic status anxiety. Even when the code is strong, some calamity or crisis has always been nigh. The latest doomsday theory is that the global financial crisis will cause the NRL to bleed to death as sponsors withdraw, box holders cancel, fans stay at home, merchandising sales wither and the TV rights holder goes into receivership, forcing chief executive David Gallop to accept a lesser deal from a bank-run network.

In a league of her own as player: Here's an incentive for any youngster who attempts to tackle Maia Tua- Davidson at today's annual Hawke's Bay Sevens rugby tournament in Waipukurau. Succeed and you'll be able to tell your mates you've tackled the world's best women's rugby league player. The world's best? That's how we at SportToday rate her in the wake of her recent winning of New Zealand Rugby League's women's player- of-the-year award.

Leonard trumpets defence as key for Bay: Hawke's Bay rugby league coaching guru Waka Leonard has been talking retirement for the past 10 years. ``The old body keeps telling me I've got to call it quits but then I see another lot of talented youngsters come along and I want to help them,' the popular Napier taxi driver told SportToday this week. Few assignments have been bigger than today's for the 69-year-old father of six, grandfather of 14 and great grandfather of one. With his son, Alan Mason, and Adrian Rowlands, Leonard is co-coaching the Hawke's Bay Unicorns under-20 side which will take on the under-20s at Napier's Park Island. Black Caps aim for another Kiwi upset: New Zealand's cricketers have drawn inspiration from the Kiwis' Rugby League World Cup triumph as they hunt a memorable one-day series victory in Australia. The Black Caps are daring to dream of a second high-stakes trans-Tasman sporting upset in Brisbane, three months after the Kiwis held aloft the World Cup at Suncorp Stadium.

Rugby league match will provide entertainment, says Nuku: A pre-season rugby league match to be held at the Colombo Road grounds in Masterton on Saturday, February 28 will provide some quality entertainment. That's the promise from organiser Joe Nuku who is in the throes of arranging an invitation team which will play Petone Panthers, a side which competes in the Wellington premier competition.

Four Nations set for KC Stadium?: THE Rugby Football League have indicated their desire to play an Autumn international in Hull. The KC Stadium is among the leading contenders to stage one of the inaugural Four Nations matches in either October or November this year. The new-look tournament has been introduced in place of the Tri-Nations and will see France join England, New Zealand and Australia competing for honours.

Sparc Welcomes Landmark Report For Future Of League SPARC congratulates the Independent Review Committee for completing a thorough and robust review which provides rugby league in New Zealand with a blueprint to be a sustainable, vibrant and growing sport.

SPARC also applauds the vision and courage of the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) Board for unanimously endorsing the Review recommendations.

"The Independent Review Committee has asked the hard questions, canvassing all major rugby league stakeholders. These have included grassroots supporters, communities, administration, funding partners, major sponsors, and international partners," said SPARC CEO Peter Miskimmin.

"The recommendations are far reaching and extensive. However rugby league - a bedrock sport in this country - is in crisis and can't be allowed to fail. The Independent Review Committee says major changes and not just tweaking are required and SPARC agrees with that position.

"This review contains practical, realistic, achievable actions to be taken to make a difference to league from the grass roots through to the international stage.

"Chairman Ray Haffenden and the rest of the NZRL Board have been cooperative and open, assisting the Independent Review Committee to produce a document of the highest quality. The Review findings examine governance and management structures, and are not about individuals.

"Sir John Anderson and the other members of the Independent Review Committee have done a tremendous job compiling the report in a short space of time. This review can be the circuit breaker for rugby league to arrest financial decline, low playing numbers and a loss of confidence from key funding and sponsorship partners," Miskimmin said.

Should the NZRL vote to adopt the recommendations at next month's AGM, SPARC is proposing to invest $452,500 to cover NZRL costs during a transitional phase through to October 2009. SPARC would then consider entering into a multi-year investment subject to a robust value proposition from the NZRL.

(Source: www.voxy.co.nz 16 February 2009)

Big changes in line for rugby league NZRL chairman Ray Haffenden has welcomed the chance to work alongside SPARC to establish a new era for the game.

He said both the NZRL board and the district leagues throughout the country had enthusiastically embraced the recommendations made by the Independent Review Committee as a result of its review of rugby league in New Zealand.

"The board was unanimous in endorsing the resolutions the committee reached," said Haffenden. "There was also a totally positive reaction at presentations made to the district leagues and affiliated bodies up and down the country over the last three days.

"We're excited about the game's future as we look to implement the changes needed to give rugby league a sound future.

"As we expected, the review committee's findings established that there are major issues with our governance and structures at all levels - from the top through to the grass roots.

"The game can not go on the way it has been. It is obvious dramatic change is needed if we are to again become a viable concern on New Zealand's sporting landscape."

Haffenden stressed all stakeholders needed to focus on the future rather than the past now the committee's findings had been released.

"I can't say enough about the process the review committee has been through," he said.

"This is the most thorough review the game has experienced and the final report produced is a very impressive body of work.

"But, while it has revealed a lot of problems within rugby league over a long period, now is not the time to dwell on the past or to point fingers at anyone.

"What we all need to do is move past that, look ahead to what is in front of us and do all we can to implement the recommended changes as quickly and efficiently as we can. The board is committed to moving on quickly. We can't afford to take our time. If we do rugby league in this country will stagnate and we'll lose the momentum generated by this review.

"This is not about self interests; this is about everyone with an interest in rugby league being focused on the good of the game."

Haffenden said the Kiwis' World Cup victory had provided the blueprint for on-field success at the highest level but this was not being matched elsewhere.

"The Kiwis' fantastic World Cup victory has shown that we have so much to be proud of but we need a game that has far more robust governance and management structures in place at all levels if we are to not only survive but also develop," he said.

"In short, the Kiwis have shown they can perform on the field and, if they're to be consistently successful, we have to prove we can perform off the field as well.

"That can be achieved only through sustainable funding and sustainable growth in numbers participating in the game.

"Continuing to do what we have been doing is not an option. If we do we'll make no progress at all.

"This is a time for major surgery and we will do everything to ensure that happens for the betterment of rugby league. We know SPARC shares the same view."

Haffenden said the board and key stakeholders appreciated the expertise and resources SPARC could provide in guiding the NZRL through a major transitional phase and onto a bright new era for the game.

(Source: One Sport, TVNZ, 16 February 2009)

Report red cards NZRL bosses Heads will have to roll if the New Zealand Rugby League is to get a cash bailout.

A damning report has slammed the game's administrators at all levels and some are set to lose their jobs.

Sunday News can reveal the soon-to-be-released Sparc report into the NZRL's affairs reveals the beleaguered organisation will be offered a cash injection, believed to be close to half a million dollars, but only if a raft of changes are made to the way the game is run. The report spearheaded by hugely respected businessman Sir John Anderson also reveals:

* Player numbers have been declining for some time with less than 20,000 registered in 2008.

* There is no shared vision of the game nationally.

* The NZRL has accumulated losses of $2.2m for 2006 and 2007 and is believed to have no cash reserves.

* The NZRL lost $2 million in pub investments during the early 2000s.

* There are no sustainable programmes in place to support grassroots league.

* There is no national representative competition.

The review calls for "major changes" to ensure the sport has a future.

The report highlights how manipulation and a "jobs for the boys" mentality has permeated the NZRL in the past.

Over 50 people were interviewed by the review committee for their opinions on the state of rugby league while written submissions were also received.

A recurring theme from the interviews seems to have been that many of the game's stakeholders including sponsors have no confidence in the NZRL.

Sunday News can reveal the review committee has "unanimously" called for the current structure in place to change and recommends:

* Amending the constitution.

* That existing board members resign to enable a transparent election process (although they can be nominated for consideration as candidates for the new board).

*The new board adopt processes of transparency and a commitment to excellence.

* The establishment of a seven-zone structure.

The review committee was chaired by Sir John and included Elizabeth Coutts, a former Sparc board member, Netball New Zealand chairman Don Mackinnon, Rugby League chairman Cameron McGregor, Warriors boss Wayne Scurrah, Canterbury Rugby League general manager Graeme Sole, Kiwis selector and Sport Taranaki chief executive Howie Tamati, and accountant Peter Wilson.

A source told Sunday News the focus looking ahead would be for the NZRL to appoint a fulltime CEO and start planning for the future.

"It's time to move on from the past," the source said.

If the NZRL can agree on a plan, it's thought Sparc may provide more funds.

(Source: Aaron Lawton, Sunday News, 15 February 2009)

Report demands code must change A DAMNING report to be released tomorrow demands immediate and wholesale change to the sport of rugby league in New Zealand if it is to "have a future".

Calling the past eight years a "sorry chapter in the history" of league, the Anderson Report is relentlessly critical of the sport's management since 2000. The Sparc-sponsored review, led by former cricket boss Sir John Anderson, aims a trenchant swipe at more than $2 million thrown away on foolish pub purchases.

It says league has lacked vision, sound management and any sense of direction and demands immediate changes - including the resignation of the entire board, although the present members escape specific criticism. Demanding in bold type that "things have to change", the report lays a series of conditions that must be followed or Sparc will withdraw an offer of $450,000 of interim funding to prop up the game until September, by when the restructure must be completed.

The report says league has no "shared vision" and "no meaningful strategic plan" and castigates the decline of playing numbers to a "very low" 17,000, particularly in the key six to 11 years age group.

It says the sport has ignored the findings of a string of governance reviews, which heavily criticised almost every aspect of the sport's management.

Until now, the last of these, by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2007 has been suppressed, but is attached as a stinging appendix to the 163-page document.

The report paints a dream picture in five years time of a "vibrant, growing sport ... with ethics/standards the community is proud to support" with a proper national competition, a proper pathway for kids to become Kiwis, paid administrators (not overworked volunteers) running all districts, increased player numbers and corporate sponsors.

It says all that is possible if every recommendation is accepted.

For the report to be adopted, a special meeting of league's 15 districts and seven affiliates on March 28 must give 75% support.

The existing board has given its backing to changes which include a new constitution, a restructure of the board from nine members to seven, at least three of them independent, a Sparc-dominated appointments committee to vet candidates and a new chairman, effectively imposed by Sparc.

The government funding agency also wants a permanent chief executive appointment, new board behaviour standards, a proper strategic plan, a full review of staff (with an implication of restructuring). The game itself would be restructured into seven zones, run by paid administrators. The big areas would look after the smaller, and the powerbroking Auckland League split into three.

When it comes to the NZRL's record in dealing with poker machines and pubs, totalling up the loss on those investments at $2,009,150, the report is damning. "It is a sorry chapter in the history of New Zealand rugby league ... the actions of those involved not following good governance practises has led to a culture of mistrust and a belief that manipulation and `clipping the ticket' is the norm," the report says.

"The of abuse democracy has been damaging ... management of these investments has been a fine line between financial incompetence and financial mismanagement.

"Retribution, with districts being put in review or individuals under attack for asking valid questions as to the use of funds or the financial outcome of the investments, were actions that many consider brought the game into disrepute and tarnished its reputation."

(Source: Steve Kilgallon, Sunday Star-Times, 15 February 2009)

Former Brisbane Bronco Greg Eastwood denied UK visa NEW Zealand star Greg Eastwood faces an uncertain future after his failure to secure the visa that would have cleared him to join Super League champions Leeds.

Eastwood, 21, has been refused the visa by the British High Commission in Canberra.

It is believed the decision was made due to a driving conviction.

He is the fourth high-profile overseas player this year to fall victim to a clampdown on entry requirements.

The second-rower helped the Kiwis win the World Cup in November and is set to appeal the decision.

"He is shocked and obviously very disappointed," Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said.

"We are all surprised and very disappointed too." Former Brisbane Bronco Eastwood was signed last August on a three-year contract as a direct replacement for England second-rower Gareth Ellis, who is now with NRL club Wests Tigers.

Eastwood, whose father was born in Huddersfield, was in the process of applying for a British passport but needed first to gain an entry visa.

Although the High Commission has not divulged a reason for the decision, it is thought to relate to a string of previous speeding convictions.

Leeds have won their first two Super League matches without Eastwood but are still keen to sign him.

"Greg's offence appears to be road-traffic related,'' Hetherington said.

It would appear that you need to be an exceptionally good character to gain a visa and anybody with any blemish is at risk.

"Greg will pursue an appeal and we will wait to see the outcome.

''We will continue to stay in touch with him during this process."

The High Commission recently rejected visa applications from fellow NRL players Michael Crocker, Todd Carney and Greg Bird, who had signed for Hull, Huddersfield and Bradford respectively.

(Source: Courier Mail, 15 February 2009)

Gallop on the money about panic merchants If rugby league were a psychiatric patient, the diagnosis would be simple: chronic status anxiety. Even when the code is strong, some calamity or crisis has always been nigh. The latest doomsday theory is that the global financial crisis will cause the NRL to bleed to death as sponsors withdraw, box holders cancel, fans stay at home, merchandising sales wither and the TV rights holder goes into receivership, forcing chief executive David Gallop to accept a lesser deal from a bank-run network.

Gallop has unintentionally reinforced this doom with a road trip to the 16 clubs, talking up the code's future while talking down the AFL's expansion plans.

"You can't bullshit a bullshitter," one player manager said of Gallop's positive spin to club marketing managers, those who try to flog merchandising packages in a market downsizing.

Gallop's presentation fuelled the pessimism at the three clubs he visited this week in Queensland where the "eh?" sayers turned into naysayers.

But Gallop will be proved right by year's end. The AFL has twice deferred its expansion plans into the Gold Coast and western Sydney, and only chief executive Andrew Demetriou's Everest-sized ego is preventing them announcing revised dates.

The Gold Coast franchise is having difficulty meeting the sponsorship target, while the AFL's main flag waver in western Sydney, former Blacktown mayor Leo Kelly, is out of office, having demonstrated that he was motivated more by anger at rugby league not establishing an academy in his city than a desire to see AFL flourish.

Rugby league, which over-expanded in 1995 with three new teams instead of one, has learnt not to panic at calls for new clubs in Perth, Adelaide and Wellington. If anything, contraction is right for these times, and Cronulla must be the most vulnerable club.

Yet the Sharks demonstrate the resilience that typifies rugby league and will serve it well this year. Former coach John Lang once told me, "People talk about Cronulla never having won a premiership. It's a victory every year just for them to stay alive."

Their fans may be fickle but they typify the demographic that has done well from the recession: mortgage holders with secure jobs and a family car. Interest rates have come down, along with petrol prices and if you are a public servant or in long-term employment, you're fairly safe.

Furthermore, the Sharks played well last season, bar a lamentable final game, and have bought well. Their supporters epitomise the code's century-long suburban culture.

Melbourne AFL fans must go to the MCG or Telstra Dome and sit with their fellow tribesmen to demonstrate they are paid-up members of Essendon or Collingwood. Cronulla people, by living in "the Shire", already know they are Sharks fans.

Nevertheless, many Sydney clubs have pursued a membership push, particularly those with a dispersed supporter base, such as South Sydney.

The Rabbitohs' back-to-Redfern-day match against Wests Tigers was members only, and the club is close to its target of 8000.

Gallop said: "What was noticeable to me was the South Sydney colours on display, the caps and scarves."

Asked the motivation behind his road trip, he said: "I was sitting on a beach in January and thought, 'This is going to be a good year, and I should be talking about it."'

But what about the chronic anxiety status of the anti-AFL message? "I did say the AFL are trying to get into our key strategic areas but these are areas of our strength, and players and club officials shouldn't be concerned," Gallop said. "We have 20,000 registered players in western Sydney. The AFL has 500."

While the Rudd Government's economic package has done little for rugby league's other demographic - the unemployed, superannuants and small business - Gallop is confident it will be a strong season.

"It will be far less daunting than 2008 when we had a centenary season, the launch of the Toyota Cup, a World Cup, as well as running an NRL season. This year we can go back to our core business of week-in, week-out competition, as well as run an exciting representative season."

He agrees some clubs will lose small to medium business sponsors, some box holders and there will be a hit at the gate, particularly at stadiums that charge exorbitant food and drink prices. But he points to the St George Illawarra supporter who said: "Our family won't be going on our annual skiing trip. We've decided we're going back to Kogarah."

As Gallop said: "Rugby league is affordable entertainment. It can prove to be an oasis in troubled times."

Early evidence of this are corporate packages for the Test and third State of Origin match (possibly a dead rubber) at Suncorp Stadium. They sold out in less than a day.

It might be time to fly club, state and national flags, not white ones.

(Source: Roy Masters, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 February 2009)

In a league of her own as player Here's an incentive for any youngster who attempts to tackle Maia Tua-Davidson at today's annual Hawke's Bay Sevens rugby tournament in Waipukurau.

Succeed and you'll be able to tell your mates you've tackled the world's best women's rugby league player. The world's best?

That's how we at SportToday rate her in the wake of her recent winning of New Zealand Rugby League's women's player-of-the-year award.

Her Kiwi Ferns won a third consecutive world cup title in Brisbane in November and, because she was judged the team's best, it must make her the world's best.

``You're making a stuff-up,' said the always humble Tua-Davidson when we passed on our rating this week. We also pointed out she's likely to be marked more heavily after her success. Not only with her Clive team today but also with her EITSA and Hawke's Bay league teams, particularly at the national league tournament during Queen's Birthday weekend.

``I hope not,' said Tua-Davidson.

The Karamu High School physical education and health teacher was ``gutted' she wasn't in Auckland to receive her award on February 1.

``I was watching the ceremony on television with Shaan (Hawke's Bay's other world champion Kiwi Fern Shaan Waru) when the MC goes `and all the way from Hawke's Bay'. I knew then it would be one of us ... I didn't have a clue it would be me and, if I knew I was in contention, I would have made the effort to go up,' said Tua-Davidson.

She is the first player from outside Auckland to win the award. Auckland halfback Rona Peters won it in 2005 and 2006 and Auckland centre Honey Hireme won in 2007.

``They had awesome world cups. I was also lucky the loosie from the last world cup, who was a better player than me, was wanted in another position,' said Tua-Davidson again down playing her contribution to the world champions.

``The two secondrowers in front of me did a fantastic job too.'

The 2008 national women's league tournament MVP played in four of the five Kiwi Ferns world cup games. She started all four - three at loosie and, in the semifinal against England, Tua-Davidson, 23, was at centre.

Against Samoa, she made 43 tackles.

``I had to make up for the crap game I had in my previous outing.'

A key member of the Hawke's Bay Tuis NPC rugby side for the past two seasons, Tua-Davidson will continue to play both codes but said if there was any overlap league would become the priority.

``I would love to play in another world cup.'

Tua-Davidson is also keen to see Hawke's Bay host the national women's league tournament at Queen's Birthday weekend.

``It will be hard to get it away from Auckland because league goes from strength to strength there.

``But we had five women's club sides here last year and I'm sure hosting the nationals will give the code a further boost.'

That's some sound advice for Bay league officials and they should take note too. After all, it's come from the world's best women's player.

(Source: Shane Hurndell, Hawke’s Bay Today, 14 February 2009)

Leonard trumpets defence as key for Bay Hawke's Bay rugby league coaching guru Waka Leonard has been talking retirement for the past 10 years.

``The old body keeps telling me I've got to call it quits but then I see another lot of talented youngsters come along and I want to help them,' the popular Napier taxi driver told SportToday this week.

Few assignments have been bigger than today's for the 69-year-old father of six, grandfather of 14 and great grandfather of one. With his son, Alan Mason, and Adrian Rowlands, Leonard is co-coaching the Hawke's Bay Unicorns under-20 side which will take on the New Zealand Warriors under-20s at Napier's Park Island. ``We could have done with another six weeks of fitness. But I can tell you our team is a lot better prepared than the Unicorns side I had in 1996, which got thrashed by the Warriors,' said Leonard.

The winner of 15 Hawke's Bay premier club titles since 1980, Leonard is confident at least five players from the Bay team can secure Warriors contracts if they perform to their potential today.

Winger Ihaka Paul is top of his list. Paul has recently returned to the Bay after trials with South Sydney and Cronulla.

``He's got maturity beyond his years. You can certainly tell he's had stints with NRL clubs,' said Leonard.

``Then there's one of our centres, and co-captain, Eddie Tauranga. He's so big, strong and fast.'

Leonard is happy with the progress made by standoff Oscar McCardle.

``He's a good talker and his kicking game is really improved. When we first saw him, he could only kick 40 metres in general play but we eliminated his hook, got him following through more and now he's knocking off 80 metres consistently.'

Another who Leonard believes could score a contract is hooker Te Ahu McGeorge.

``Defensively, there aren't many better than him in the Bay. I coached his old man, Mike, and he's just like him. Te Ahu doesn't just want to hit you ... he wants to bury you and that's what we'll need against these Warriors,' said Leonard.

``Defence will be the key. We've got to get the hit right and then slow them down.

``If we can stay within 25 points of these blokes I'll be rapt.'

Those who know Leonard wouldn't be surprised if the hosts upset the city slickers. After all, he's the bloke who coached the Unicorns to consecutive national division two titles in 1978 and '79.

``It's a long time ago but those titles are still the highlights of my coaching career. I had only been in the Bay for four years, the Unicorns had only been out of recess for four years and we beat established provinces like Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty,' he said.

Needless to say, a win for Leonard and co today would be an appropriate finale for him. But he's already committed to taking the EIT premier side again this year.

``There's a lot of exciting young Samoans in the EIT team. They're so polite ... I couldn't say no,' said Leonard, before heading off to take one more defensive session with the Unicorns under-20s.

Hawke's Bay Unicorns Under-20s: Eti Collins, Aiden Te Hiko, Pen Pilamo, Eddie Tauranga (co-captain), Ihaka Paul, Oscar McCardle, Lewis Samuels, Naua Au, Te Ahu McGeorge, Beau Gibson, Mua Sala, Matt Martin (co- captain), Brad White. Interchange: Brad Weber, Raymond Timu, Charlie Hooper, Ben Tamaifuna, Henry Ene, John Paselio, Mohi Kendrick, Teariki Makatuki, Kyne Tunoho.

New Zealand Warriors Under-20s (from the following squad): Michael Afioga, Junior Afualo, Thomas Ah Van, Kyle Bos, Anthony Bristow, Jason Cook, Gowan Duff, Simon Gibson, , Kurt Kara, Beau King, Meli Koliavu, Jerome Kutia, Luke Laban, Ryan Laurenson, Sam Limu-Franklin, Sione Lousi, Alehana Mara, Peter Mills, Elijah Niko, Brandon Nixon, Daniel Palavi, John Palavi, George Smith, Bill Tupou, Trent Wallace.

(Source: Shane Hurndell, Hawke’s Bay Today, 14 February 2009)

Sparc dangles funds for league - with changes Sparc is offering to back league financially and bring money from gaming trusts back to the game provided there are changes to the management and governance at headquarters.

The New Zealand Rugby League board will spend the weekend trying to sell the deal to provinces and associate members and is due to announce its plans on Monday in Auckland. Within league's hierarchy there is concern that control will be usurped by a Government body, which in the past has provided no financial or other support but it may not equal the concern over lack of funding from trusts and other sources.

Sparc's plans are driven by a review conducted by Sir John Anderson, who has apparently recommended changes to the constitution, changes to the management from the NZRL board with more direction provided to the districts, and yet another review of national competitions.

Anderson's review which was presented to the board during the week has been described as "robust and thorough" and delves extensively into the finances, financial stability and sustainability of the game.

There is no doubt league has not sold itself well in recent years, with marketing opportunities built on the successful Kiwis campaigns and no sponsorship advantage taken of the World Cup win.

At the same time spending reached new highs and slowed after the departure of chairman Andrew Chalmers.

Sparc spokesman John Tulloch said the report made recommendations that would strengthen the management and administration, based on what worked for other national sporting bodies.

It is believed the NZRL board is mainly in agreement with the proposals, which it will present to districts in Wellington today and in Auckland tomorrow.

The report will be made public on Monday and the board will take feedback before its annual meeting in March. Under the existing constitution, 75 per cent of districts must vote for the proposal in order for it to proceed.

But money is a great incentive for the districts to agree.

Sparc has apparently offered to fund the changes to management structure and then to back the new board that is appointed under that structure with more finance into the future.

The game has had no trusts funding for 12 months, due to concern about lax handling of previous grants.

Sparc has also offered to get the trusts back on side, provided its demands are met.

(Source: Peter Jessup, Weekend Herald, 14 February 2009)

Black Caps aim for another Kiwi upset New Zealand's cricketers have drawn inspiration from the Kiwis' Rugby League World Cup triumph as they hunt a memorable one-day series victory in Australia.

The Black Caps are daring to dream of a second high-stakes trans-Tasman sporting upset in Brisbane, three months after the Kiwis held aloft the World Cup at Suncorp Stadium.

Several of the NZ squad cheered their rugby league brothers on to a 34-20 final boilover of the Kangaroos and have been reminding each other of a repeat effort.

Skipper Daniel Vettori is hoping for some deja vu at the Gabba with the series locked at 2-2 ahead of Friday's decider.

"We've got a lot of rugby league fans in our side so it gets mentioned a lot, not just around this scene," he said.

"We were here last time around for it as well in Brisbane and that was exciting being here.

"While it's not a World Cup game, I think a lot of guys will take inspiration.

"Everyone in the group will come here thinking they can win the game and that's an important thing and it's not something you always have when you are playing against Australia."

Star batsman Ross Taylor looked like he played in that RLWC final during training at the Gabba on match eve when he copped a blow to the mouth in a match of touch footy. But Taylor was cleared to play alongside Black Caps leaders Daniel Vettori (hamstring) and Brendon McCullum (shoulder) who are nursing slight injuries.

Spinner Jeetan Patel, who played in the opening two matches as NZ skipped to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, is expected to replace batsman Craig Cumming in the motivated Black Caps side.

Vettori rated it one of the biggest one-day matches for his country in recent times.

NZ, who lost their 2007 World Cup semi-final to Sri Lanka, has never won a trophy in Australia.

"I think there's a lot motivation going around and that's part of it," Vettori said.

"It's also the excitement of playing I suppose a final for us, getting ourselves up for that and enjoying the opportunity to beat Australia because they're few and far between for a lot of players, and this could be the start of something great for what is a very young team."

Like Australia, who are hoping to gain some momentum heading into next week's trip to South Africa, NZ want to be on the front foot as they face India at home over the next month.

(Source: The Age, 12 February 2009)

Rugby league match will provide entertainment, says Nuku A pre-season rugby league match to be held at the Colombo Road grounds in Masterton on Saturday, February 28 will provide some quality entertainment.

That's the promise from organiser Joe Nuku who is in the throes of arranging an invitation team which will play Petone Panthers, a side which competes in the Wellington premier competition.

Nuku, who these days is a prominent member of the Marist senior first division rugby squad, played for the Panthers himself in the early 2000s and had the distinction of representing Wellington at Bartercard Cup level and also trialled for the Warriors.

He is one of a number of former rugby league players coming "out of the woodwork" for the Masterton match.

"It's amazing the number of rugby players around these parts who have a crack at rugby league or who are keen to do so," Nuku said. "But there is still room for others to come on board, we're open to offers!"

Plans are for the Masterton game to be played over four 20 minute quarters with kick off at 2pm.

However, it's staging won't herald the return of rugby league on a regular basis in the local region with Nuku emphasising it was a one off.

"The whole idea is to give Wairarapa people the chance to watch the game at first hand, to get a better understanding of the skills and techniques required," he said. "It should be a lot of fun, both for players and spectators."

(Source: Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 February 2009)

Four Nations set for KC Stadium? THE Rugby Football League have indicated their desire to play an Autumn international in Hull.

The KC Stadium is among the leading contenders to stage one of the inaugural Four Nations matches in either October or November this year.

The new-look tournament has been introduced in place of the Tri-Nations and will see France join England, New Zealand and Australia competing for honours.

Details of the tournament's format are expected to be announced later in the season, but all matches will be played in this country. With each team playing the others once and the top two going on to contest the final, a total of seven matches will be played.

The KC Stadium has played host to Tri-Nations matches in the past, with the last international staged there in 2007 when Great Britain hammered New Zealand 44-0.

The Mail understands a match between England and New Zealand could well be picked for the KC Stadium.

This looks likely because of Hull's history of both professional clubs featuring New Zealand stars in the past, with current Kiwi head coach a former Hull FC favourite.

When asked about the possibilities of a game coming to Hull, RFL chief executive Nigel Wood told the Mail: "The RFL has been proud to bring international Rugby League to the city of Hull over the past four or five years.

"The city of Hull is passionate about its rugby league and deserves the opportunity to stage international matches.

"The RFL would have no hesitation in playing a Four Nations match in the city if the stadium is made available."

(Source: www.sporthull.co.uk 11 February 2009)