League: NZ boss urges big crowd for test

New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Phil Holden (left) with DVML chief executive Terry...
New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Phil Holden (left) with DVML chief executive Terry Davies at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.

Lovers of sport should get along to the test match between England and the Kiwis, New Zealand Rugby League boss Phil Holden says.

Holden was in Dunedin yesterday inspecting the covered stadium and meeting league and stadium officials.

Holden was impressed with what he saw of the stadium and said the timing of the test was great to get a big crowd.

''It is being played in a clear window, as rugby is finished. This is an international event, this is a big event for Dunedin.

"This is the first time the Kiwis have played in Dunedin since 1928 and it is going to be a big game,'' he said.

The Kiwis and England will clash in Dunedin in what is shaping as a knockout match to decide which team will face Australia in the final of the Four Nations the following week.

''Anyone who is a lover of sport will want to be here. You think back to the last game these guys played, the semifinal of the World Cup last year at Wembley. That was one of the greatest games of rugby league we have ever seen.''

Holden said the Four Nations was a stepping-stone for the Kiwis side as it moved towards the World Cup, to be played in Australia and New Zealand in 2017.

He revealed yesterday the NZRL had come to an agreement with High Performance Sport New Zealand over investment looking ahead to the cup.

That meant that after next week's Anzac Test, the NZRL would look at a new coaching structure for the national side.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary would assist head coach Stephen Kearney at the Anzac test and then discussions would begin on what the new coaching team would look like. He declined to say how much High Performance Sport New Zealand was contributing.

Holden said prices for tickets for the November 8 test had not yet been finalised but he was aware of the market.

''We want it to be as accessible as possible and we know that we have to appeal to those families. We want to fill it out, sell it out, and I think we can do that.''

He was hoping for buy-in from those south of the Waitaki River and said the league community from around the South Island should get involved in the game.

The Kiwis play either Fiji or Samoa in Whangarei on November 1 and Holden envisaged the team spending the best part of the week in Dunedin in the build-up.

''The guys expect that. To be in and around the community is what they see as being part of their job.''

Holden said not only was the covered stadium great but the sizeable changing rooms and top facilities for coaches and management were also impressive.

Although he did not select the Kiwis, Holden said Benji Marshall could one day play again for the national side.

''It is disappointing for him, in what has happened. But he has acted with integrity right through it. Neither he or the Blues would have wanted this.

''Can he be here and play for the Kiwis? That is a good question. The only person who can answer that is Benji Marshall.''

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