Rugby League Coaching Manuals

SMH - Three months after a sensational World Cup, international rugby league is again in disarray with Australia upset at the early release of details about the proposed Four Nations tournament.

The Rugby League International Federation yesterday announced locations and dates for the new tournament to be held in England and France, starting in October.

The new tournament was supposed to carry on from the success of last year's World Cup in Australia, with 10th-placed France added to the previous Tri-Nations format.

But in another case of the international game shooting itself in the foot, the Australian Rugby League claims it has yet to agree to the proposal.

Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said the Kangaroos would "definitely" participate, but was annoyed the RLIF released details before it had been finalised.

"At this stage the RLIF have seen fit to bring out a schedule on a proposal rather than an approval," Carr said.

"Don't ask me why they've done that, you better ask them. It hasn't been approved by us.

"There's been some proposed venues and times, which usually happens, and what should have happened on this occasion is that budgets are then drawn up on those particular events and times and we then determine whether those proposed times and events are the best for the tournament, then we give approval.

"We haven't seen any budgets on it and if they wish to put a press release out on a proposal that hasn't been approved that is up to them, but I will be trying to find out why they did it.

"We are definitely going to play it, but there is a process to go through before you give final approval."

The schedule released has Australia facing their World Cup nemesises and world champions New Zealand at Twickenham on the weekend of October 24-25. The Kangaroos and England meet in week two at Wigan before Australia travel across the channel to face France in the final round of matches.

The final of the Four-Nations will be held at Elland Road Stadium in Leeds on November 14.

The location for the two games in France, involving the Kiwis and Kangaroos, were not disclosed.