Transcript
KRISTIAN WOOLF: It certainly needs to be a decision that's made sooner rather than later and I'd be thinking in the next couple of days it certainly needs to be made. It's been a difficult one and a frustrating one and, as you mentioned before, there's been a lot of roadblocks put in the way and it's a funny one because everybody that you talk to - whether it be a general fan or people who can act on it - tells you that it's a game that they want to see and a game that everyone wants to happen but everywhere we turn there seems to be roadblocks put up so it's been very frustrating.
VINNIE WYLIE: It's very odd to have two teams that want to play each other but seemingly the rugby league gods can't find a place for it to happen?
KW: Yeah that's right. I've said all along that (Australia coach) Mal Meninga has been terrific in the whole process. Our first option was that we wanted to play against New Zealand but it was very clear early on that that was not going to happen and as soon as I mentioned it to Mal Meninga it was something that he jumped at straight away and he's really pushed it and really helped the process along the way. I guess you're right there - you've certainly got two teams that want to play - but the other difficulties around it have been particularly to do with finances and who's going to fund it and who's going to underwrite it and that kind of thing, as well as venues when it came to New Zealand as well so it's certainly again been a bit frustrating.
VW: Considering the desire Tonga has to play New Zealand again, and to make that an annual match, is it not somewhat ironic that after Australia steps up and says: 'I'll play you', that it's New Zealand which puts its knife into the venue?
KW: Look it was very disappointing. I can certainly see the points of view of New Zealand Rugby League but the other thing that I thought was a real positive for everyone was the interest that our game against England (at the World Cup) generated to the New Zealand Rugby League public and the exposure to our game that that gave in New Zealand. Even though it didn't include a New Zealand team I thought was a real positive for rugby league in the country. Therefore I thought it was a positive for us to play over there again regardless of who we were playing so, as I said, I do understand the New Zealand Rugby League point of view there and I can certainly see the points that they've thrown forward but I thought there were other things that were strong considerations as well.
VW: In terms of finding an appropriate venue what is required? Is there a minimum capacity that you think would be appropriate, is there too big a capacity that would rule things out or is it a case of finding a sweet spot in the middle?
KW: I think the biggest hurdle is actually finances and for a game to go ahead you need support from a local government, you need support from a stadium and it needs to be financially viable - and the later that goes obviously that decreases your opportunity to sell it a little bit as well, or to promote it as well. That, from my understanding, is the biggest hurdle at the moment. I have been told through the Queensland Government and through Suncorp Stadium (in Brisbane) there's some interest there and some support there as well but I'm not sure what the actual figures are that are holding up the game.
