Lam's anger at new Four Nations fixtures

Thursday 4th February 2010

Above: Australai's Darren Lockyer with last season's Four Nations trophy

By STEVE MASCORD

Rugby League's return to Eden Park for a Four Nations double-header has not been universally welcomed, with Papua New Guinea coach Adrian Lam saying his country was not consulted about playing England in Auckland.

The final round of pool matches in the end-of-season tournament will be staged at the rugby union citadel on November 6, with England-PNG to be followed by New Zealand-Australia.

NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle described the news as "a huge boost for New Zealand sport" but Kumuls coach Adrian Lam was considerably less thrilled when contacted by rugbyleague.com

"I only heard about this at the beginning of the week and it's pretty disappointing that we weren't even consulted - yet again," he said.

"There were people in PNG who really hoped we could host just one game. And if not, why not in Townsville? I'm sure the poms wouldn't want to play us there in the heat.

"No-one asked us where we wanted to play. Look, we've got nothing to lose, at least we've earned the right to play in the quad-nations."

Lam agreed that PNG's inability to qualify for one home international reflected poorly on the bid for an NRL licence.

The tournament kicks off at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on October 23 with New Zealand taking on England. Australia and PNG meet at Parramatta Stadium the next day.  The series then moves to Rotorua and Melbourne before the double-header and a final at Suncorp Stadium. The Rugby League International Federation player of the year awards will be held in Auckland.

England and the Kiwis will each play warm-up games in New Zealand, most likely against Pacific nations and perhaps as another double-header.

Doyle said: "This double-header will be the biggest rugby league event in New Zealand since the 1988 World Cup final at Eden Park and could become the biggest of all time.

"It'll be a tremendous moment for the game to have rugby league's major powers all playing at the same ground on the same day.

"It's also a huge honour for our game that we'll actually be giving the new-look Eden Park one of its first major attractions."

RLIF executive chairman Colin Love added: "The first Four Nations series was an overwhelming success at every level.

"The excitement among English crowds and international television audiences again demonstrated the tremendous appetite that exists for International rugby reague.

"The rivalry between Australia, New Zealand and England couldn't be more intense and PNG have proven time and again that they can mix it with anyone on the day.

"This is going to be a fabulous contest that will bring together the best players in the game over three incredible weeks of matches."

2010 FOUR NATIONS - SCHEDULE

October 23 New Zealand v England Westpac Stadium, Wellington

October 24 Australia v Papua New Guinea Parramatta Stadium, Sydney

October 30 New Zealand v Papua New Guinea International Stadium, Rotorua

October 31 Australia v England Melbourne venue TBC

November 6 England v Papua New Guinea Eden Park, Auckland

November 6 New Zealand v Australia Eden Park, Auckland

November 13 Four Nations Final Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane