League: Eden Park may host double-header

LEEDS - International rugby league bosses are in negotiation with Eden Park to host a double-header during next year's Four Nations tournament.

The series shifts back to the Southern Hemisphere in 2010 with Pacific Cup winners Papua New Guinea taking the place of France and games to be split on both sides of the Tasman.

Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said the feasibility of a double-header in New Zealand was being investigated.

"Things are at a very early stage but we are talking to the major New Zealand venues about a double-header," Carr told NZPA.

"Eden Park is one of the venues that have been mentioned. I would imagine a bidding process will take place."

Carr said that at this stage Papua New Guinea would not host any games in the 2010 Four Nations.

Meanwhile, the Kiwis team management has completed a review of the season - but a statement issued to the media yesterday did not provide many specifics of the findings.

"We've had five tests this year and, while there were pleasing aspects overall and especially over the last few weeks, the season obviously hasn't finished the way we wanted it to," coach Stephen Kearney was quoted as saying.

"We've identified some areas where we didn't quite come up to the standards we set ourselves.

"It's more about getting our processes to the point where they give us the chance to be our best for every match we play."

The reigning world champions opened an unsatisfactory 2009 calendar with a 10-38 loss in the Anzac test in Brisbane before beating Tonga 40-24 in Rotorua last month - their final preparation for the Four Nations.

A last-minute converted try left the Kiwis to settle for a 20-20 draw in their Four Nations opener - and trans-Tasman rematch - in London before beating France 62-12 and bowing out to England 12-20 in Huddersfield last Sunday (NZT).

" The season obviously hasn't finished the way we wanted it to," said Kearney, who added a positive was the blooding of 11 new internationals, including six on this tour.

Meanwhile, unhappiness with Frenchman Thierry Alibert's performance in the 20-12 loss to England at the weekend could result in the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) reviewing its support for a referee from each competing country being appointed to the Four Nations panel.

There is a push for two fulltime professionals from each hemisphere to be used next year.

Five of the Kiwis' management team plus the NZRL's high performance director Tony Kemp will visit the Manchester United Football Club on Thursday.

The Golden Boot award for the world's best player will be presented immediately after the Four Nations final between the Kangaroos and England at Elland Road (Sunday NZT).

- NZPA