Rugby League officials from Australia and Britain are close to agreeing a new Tri-Nations tournament. The move will finally end the one-off Tests that has seen the international game suffer in recent years. Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr believes the new triangular series will be launched in 2004 with Australia scheduled to play just one more one-off Test against New Zealand next July.
Carr predicted international rugby league would undergo a total rejuvenation in 2004 when a plan put forward by Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett is expected to be put into place. Bennett's proposal, a triangular tournament featuring Australia, New Zealand and Britain, is being assessed by the ARL and Rugby Football League but both nations are expected to endorse it.
"In 2004 we'll have a Tri-Nations where Great Britain will come here in July, everyone will play each other once, then at the end of the year New Zealand and Australia will go to the UK and everyone will play each other again. By the end of 2004 there'll be a Tri-Nations champion and if the concept is a success - which I believe it will be - there's an opportunity for us to continue it on a regular basis," said Carr.
Filed by James Shortt
