Bulldogs, Nz Bosses Swap Insults Over Injured Stars

Sun Herald

Sunday September 18, 2005

By ANDREW WEBSTER and STEVE KILGALLON

A TRANS-TASMAN war of words has erupted between the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Rugby League about the availability of star players for the Tri-Nations series.

Bulldogs and Australia doctor Hugh Hazard wrote to the NZRL during the week making it clear that Sonny Bill Williams, Roy Asotasi, Jamaal Lolesi and Matt Utai must all miss the series because of injury.

That prompted NZRL vice-chairman Selwyn Bennett to accuse the Bulldogs and Tigers who field Kiwis Benji Marshall and Dene Halatau of "having us on", while Bulldogs boss Malcolm Noad accused New Zealand of "paranoia".

"I think this animosity comes from some sort of paranoia because our club doctor [Hazard] is also the Australian team doctor," Noad said. "I do not expect them [Utai, Williams and Asotasi] to play, and Jamaal is free to do whatever he wants.

"It's absolutely wrong to suggest that we are preventing our players from representing their country. Ask him to give us some examples. Tell him to name the players. At the end of last year, we allowed every player who was available to play.

"Does he seriously think that players would want to play for a club that didn't let them play representative football? The strange thing is that Sel Bennett hasn't responded to any correspondence I have sent him before ... That's all I want to say."

The Sun-Herald understands Hazard told the NZRL in his letter he would provide medical proof if the NZRL did not believe the club's players were genuinely injured.

It is uncertain if the NZRL will take Hazard up on his offer.

Utai underwent a shoulder reconstruction as soon as the Bulldogs' season was complete, while Williams has been sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. Asotasi will see a specialist this week about an ankle injury.

Tigers pair Marshall and Halatau are also shaping as major doubts, with their coach Tim Sheens encouraging the duo to have surgery immediately after the NRL finals.

Bennett questioned the Bulldogs' partnership deal with Wellington and the Tigers' recruitment of young Kiwi talent. "I personally think they are having us on," Bennett said. "They are playing us for dummies and we are if we take it.

"The whole of New Zealand has watched Benji and Dene play if they have got injuries, well someone is having us on. Why didn't they take them out a few weeks ago?

"Matt Utai played in the last round, but they told us weeks ago he needed surgery, so why not take him out prior to that when they [the Bulldogs] had nothing to play for?

"You look at the Bulldogs talking to Wellington and you have got to wonder about them. These are the people who want to come to New Zealand and pick out our best players and take them there. Haven't we got good friends."