A giant leap forward for international league which makes the long-distance experiment worthwhile, or a foolish venture which will skew the NRL competition?
The Kiwis' June 23 match against England in Denver USA has been tackled fiercely from the moment the three-year concept was announced in February.
Famous league charactersare lining up on each side of this debate, and at least one appears to be in both teams.
DOUBTERS
Martin Taupau (Manly) "It all depends if I'm able to come back and back up that following weekend. That is the issue."
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters) "First and foremost, I've got to continue doing my job here at the club and do it well."
Adam Blair...veteran Kiwis forward sceptical in February, enthusiastic in May. Photo / Photosport
Adam Blair (Warriors, Kiwis captain...in February) "It's making sure all the little things are done properly before I even agree to a test match over in Denver...I think we should do a lot more stuff back here in New Zealand."
Cameron George (Warriors CEO) "We will not jeopardise player welfare and will not jeopardise what we're here to do which is to win an NRL premiership."
Steve Kearney (Warriors coach) "The issue was making the decision the week before the (NRL) season starts ... it just needs to be positioned properly. It's too much of a challenging situation."
David Skipwith (NZ Herald) "A one-off mid-year test between New Zealand and England in Denver makes no sense to local fans who would rather watch the Kiwis play a World Cup re-match against Tonga on home soil."
Roy Masters (legendary SMH league columnist) "The Denver test match between New Zealand and England will be a success if Americans buy tickets, assuming the Kiwis are the All Blacks. The All Blacks are the best known 'rugby' brand in America."
NZRL chairman Reon Edwards "We've got to prove ourselves in this first year," Edwards told New Zealand website Stuff.
"We're not looking too far ahead at this point, we've got to prove ourselves in this first year."
English brothers Sam, Tom (above) and George Burgess have thrown their considerable weight behind the Denver game. Photo / Photosport
BELIEVERS
Adam Blair (Warriors, Kiwis captain...in May) "I'm passionate about it and would love to go away to Denver with the boys and be part of it again."
Shaun Johnson (Warriors) "I think it's a really cool concept and if it helps grow the game in anyway then I'm all for it. No player burnout here mate."
Issac Luke (Warriors) "I just want to be back in the jersey and if I get a chance I'll grab it with both hands."
Simon Mannering (Warriors) "I know there's a lot of negatives around the game with the travel and all that but there's also a lot of positives...it's an awesome opportunity."
Statement from England coach Wayne Bennett and eight English NRL players including star veterans Sam Burgess and James Graham "We would like to place on record our absolute support...England chief medical officer, Dr Chris Brookes, has no additional concerns...the 2017 World Cup demonstrated the value of the international game to our sport. "...this mid-season window provides the perfect opportunity for the sport to showcase itself to a new public in North America."
Steve Mascord (Australian league media identity) "We're playing a mid-season Test at a neutral venue, just like the big boys of international sport. It's something to be happy, not bitter and twisted, about."
