By STEVE MASCORD
A MEMBER of the consortium hosting the 2021 World Cup has described the proposed Australia-Tonga international in Hawaii this October as having “zero strategic value” for the sport in North America.
Zero strategic, long-term value for RL in NA in a one-off game in Hawaii.
— John Paul Basile (@jp_basile) December 29, 2017
While NRL clubs attempt to block an England-New Zealand Test in Denver on June 23, Australia coach Mal Meninga has proposed a match against the Mate Ma’a at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium during October.
Promoter Jason Moore – who has been granted the 2025 World Cup pending due diligence by the Rugby League International Federation – is behind the Denver match.
He and his assistant, former NBA vice president in charge of international development John Paul Basile, have nothing to do with the Hawaii venture.
“Zero strategic, long-term value for RL in NA in a one-off game in Hawaii,” Basile Tweeted.
Even though there are no club games on the weekend in question, June 23-24, NRL franchises are so far refusing to release England and New Zealand players for a sanctioned Test in one of the sport’s biggest club v country rows.
It’s thought the continued delays have resulted in some involved believing it is already too late to “responsibly” promote the match.
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported the Kiwis already had a fall-back play – to play the Tongans.
But Tonga has a match scheduled against Samoa in Campbelltown that weekend – tickets are already on sale – while Fiji have claimed they will meet the Kiwis in Australia if the Denver match is canned.
It’s thought some NRL club officials believe the Denver match can still take place, while others are hoping it is quietly swept under the carpet.
