England unhappy over player call-ups

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The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) on Friday ruled that Leeds full-back Brent Webb and Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai must be allowed to play for the Kiwis at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Nigel Wood, the RFL chief executive, said: "The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) has made its decision and the RFL will abide with the ruling. However, what this situation clearly shows is that the current RLIF rules regarding international call-ups need reviewing to take into account the modern game and the rugby league calendar."

He added: "When the RLIF meet in Sydney next week the RFL will be calling for a full review of the relevant rules.

"It was particularly disappointing that the NZRL went ahead with their selection of two players against the request of the RFL and the players' clubs."

Both Super League clubs initially refused to release their players because the international clashes with the fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Leeds play fellow Super League club Harlequins on Sunday week while Wigan meet Whitehaven a day later.

The row escalated when new Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney named both players in his team and insisted that he expected them to arrive in camp on Monday evening.

The RFL tried to persuade the International Federation to make an exception to the rule but overnight RLIF chairman Colin Love, in a telephone link-up with RFL chairman Richard Lewis and RLIF secretary David Gallop, rejected the plea.

The executive ruled in favour of New Zealand, stating the clubs had not proved under RLIF rules that the players should not be made available to play for their country.