League: Kearney happy to walk in the park

Stephen Kearney. Photo / Getty Images

If Eden Park is still available for rugby league tests after the Four Nations this November, then Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney wants to see it used as a regular venue.

The stadium has traditionally been home to rugby and cricket matches but under the current redevelopment project its brief is to host a wider range of sporting, cultural and community events.

Previously the ground has been used for one rugby league test, the final of the World Cup in 1988, which the Kiwis lost 25-12 to the Kangaroos. This year it hosts a Four Nations double-header on November 6 when New Zealand meets Australia and England plays Papua New Guinea in the curtain-raiser.

Kearney welcomed the move as part of yesterday's tournament launch at the venue. "Having the two games here on the same night is a wonderful opportunity, once the Eden Park facility is finished. A future at the ground will depend on how we perform in October but playing in front of big audiences will give our game a boost." The ground will have a 60,000 capacity when completed.

While general platitudes were offered about the international game flourishing and the need for such contests to remain prominent on the calendar, former Kangaroo Steve Price admitted boosting the number of tests would come at a cost, especially if the NRL was expanded too.

"The game always has that battle. We want to see players involved as much as possible but we don't want it taking too much of a toll on their bodies.

"I'm probably a classic example sitting on the sideline now because I've been bashed around so much. It'll be interesting to see whether any more teams are introduced to the NRL over the next few years.

"Whatever happens, the balance has got to be right for players, supporters and sponsors.

Players in the southern hemisphere earn the majority of their money in and around the NRL. Price says the number of representative matches needs to be considered against that.

"Windows for State of Origin and test matches are important but we need to be conscious of having our best players as fit and healthy for as long as possible.

"The Four Nations is growing in priority, as we saw last year [and in the Tri Nations of preceding years], but do we go like other codes and treat internationals as the most important thing? I don't think we can."