Rugby League Focus
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday October 17, 2005
NZ coach cleared of ref abuse
New Zealand coach Brian McClennan has been cleared of verbally abusing English referee Steve Ganson at half-time in Saturday night's opening Tri-Nations Test at Telstra Stadium. McClennan was fuming over several decisions late in the first half that helped Australia to recover from an 18-0 deficit to level the scores at the break and was alleged to have vented his anger at Ganson and his touch judges as they waited in the tunnel for the game to re-start. It is understood McClennan was particularly upset that Ganson had not gone to the video referee when NZ winger Jake Webster seemed to have scored in the 27th minute, while there were doubts about two Kangaroos tries. The half-time incident was reported but an investigation found no evidence McClennan had acted inappropriately, with the match officials saying they were not aware he had made any comment towards them. Brad Walter Jones looks to kick on New Zealand halfback Stacey Jones is yet to decide whether he will travel to England to play against Great Britain. Initially coming out of international retirement to help the Kiwis out of an injury crisis in the two Tests against Australia, Jones is weighing up the feasibility of playing on after his man-of-the-match effort. The 29-year-old playmaker is due in France to train with new Super League club Les Catalans before returning home to be with wife Rachelle, scheduled to give birth to their third child on November 24. David Faiumu's partner Belinda is also expecting and the Kiwis have put contingency plans in place to try to enable the Cowboys hooker to attend the birth and play on Friday night. "It's been an amazing few weeks for David - he's played in a grand final, made his Test debut and is about to have his first child," Kiwis coach Brian McClennan said. Brad Walter Wanted: a prompt passport After alerting the New Zealand Rugby League to the eligibility of his son, Jake, to play for the Kiwis, Steve Webster may miss the Storm winger's Test appearance in Auckland on Friday night unless he can quickly obtain a passport. Jake Webster, born in Melbourne and raised in Brisbane, made an impressive international debut in Saturday night's opening Tri-Nations match but his father, after emigrating to Australia 20 years ago, will today begin a frantic bid to renew his passport in time for the second Test. Jake Webster was one of four Australian-born players in the Kiwis side that won 38-28 at Telstra Stadium, with Parramatta prop Nathan Cayless and Penrith back-rower Frank Pritchard also qualifying on heritage grounds while Warriors fullback Brent Webb has residency status after living in Auckland for four years. Steve Kilgallon
© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald