National Rugby League clubs are "furious" they have not been consulted about a potential Australia-Tonga test in N.Y., "putting them on another collision course" with the governing body, according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The NRL is investigating the feasibility of staging the int'l at the 25,000-seat Red Bull Arena on Oct. 20. It is understood the promoter is Ricky Wilby, the man attempting to establish an N.Y. franchise to compete in the Super League. The NRL is also seeking to take an opening round competition game to the U.S. next season, "with Melbourne and South Sydney the likely participants if the concept goes ahead." Canterbury CEO Andrew Hill, who ran the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, was "blindsided by the latest American proposal." Hill said, "As a club CEO, I know nothing about any proposed Australia-Tonga game. ... With six weeks of a season to go, I still have no idea if the proposed game is an opportunity for us to broker." Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher added, "We don't get the privilege of getting involved in discussions. They just make decisions and don't check with the heartland. Us at club level, we don't get consulted on what's going on." Gold Coast CEO Graham Annesley said, "It's the first I've heard of it. If it's factual, it would obviously be in the players' normal annual leave period, which has implications for training and the resumption of training in the collective bargaining agreement" (SMH, 7/20).
