National Rugby League Chief Medical Officer Paul Bloomfield and COO Nick Weeks have "condemned" the June test match between New Zealand and England to be played in Denver, according to Andrew Webster of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The match will take place at the highest altitude of any major city in the U.S., in the middle of summer after a 20-hour int'l flight, for the "alleged betterment of international rugby league." Meanwhile, CEO Todd Greenberg has "no opinion on the issue." NRL execs, club representatives and the Rugby League Players Association met last week to discuss the match slated for Denver's Mile High Stadium on June 24 as "part of the stand-alone representative weekend." According to those at the meeting, Bloomfield and Weeks have "grave concerns" like the clubs, mostly because of player welfare. Greenberg is a member of the Rugby League Int'l Federation and "cannot show his hand on the matter." A source said, “He’s in a very tricky position." An "angry letter" is being drafted and will be sent in coming days to the New Zealand Rugby League and the Rugby Football League, "outlining unresolved concerns" about travel time, injuries, player welfare, how much players will be paid and insurance, among others (SMH, 3/19).
