The Kiwis could meet England in Denver this year. Photo / Getty Images
The Kiwis could meet England in Denver this year. Photo / Getty Images
Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has confirmed he would release his Kiwi representatives for a proposed test in the US.
A one-off test was expected to be proposed as early as next week, and would see the sides face off in a standalone test in Denver, Colorado.
Bennett, who coachedEngland at last year's World Cup, told NRL.com he would do everything he could to support the initiative.
Kodi Nikorima, Jordan Kahu and Alex Glenn were the three players in the Brisbane squad who were in the most recent Kiwis squad, and Bennett said they would be allowed to play in the proposed mid-season match in Denver, Colorado.
"It's not that we haven't done these games before, the problem is we don't do it on a consistent basis," Bennett said.
The United States will host the 2025 Rugby League World Cup and Bennett said this match would help to raise the profile of the sport in the country.
"If we're trying to build the game, which we obviously are with the World Cup that is going to be in the States in 2025, if we don't start doing things like this no one is going to know what rugby league is over there in 2025.
"If this game wasn't to go ahead it would be hypocritical. And it would be a case of bias against the English given the other countries can now get players released."
Bennett noted clubs had to release players for State of Origin duties and for tests between Pacific nations.
Wayne Bennett and David Kidwell coached England and the Kiwis respectively at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Photo / Getty Images
"Those guys have been playing the Australia-New Zealand test in the middle of the season anyway for the past decade, what's the difference?"
Bennett, who was yet to decide if he was going to put his hand up for another term as England coach, said a mid-year test was vital to England who were runners-up in the 2017 World Cup.
"Australia get three state of Origin games every year, which is a huge advantage to them and England just can't compete if they expect to just play whatever tests they can play in the off-season and be as competitive.
The Kiwis last met England during the 2016 Four Nations. Photo / Getty Images.
"They need these big games."
The two sides were also scheduled to meet in a three-test series in England after the NRL season, from October 27 to November 11.
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