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Rugby League

Kiwi chief slams Morley let-off

23/10/2007

New Zealand Rugby League chairman Andrew Chalmers has attacked the decision to clear Great Britain's Adrian Morley for Saturday's Test.

The Warrington forward escaped censure after a Rugby Football League disciplinary panel considered making charges over an alleged high tackle in the match between the Northern Union and the All Golds last weekend.

But Chalmers insists Morley should have been ruled out for the entire three-match series between the two nations after a number of questionable challenges during the exhibition game.

"It's a disgrace. There were two tackles in that match which would have incurred suspensions in the NRL [the southern hemisphere's National Rugby League], one on Awen Guttenbeil and the other on Nigel Vagana," he said.

"It's clear the RFL has little interest in player health and welfare if it allows such tackles to go unpunished.

"Someone should have to answer for this. Morley should not be able to play in the first Test against the Kiwis on Saturday and there would be an argument that he shouldn't be able to appear in the next two Tests either."

Chalmers suggested that a local bias had seen their representative on the three-man disciplinary panel, former Test match referee Neville Kasha, overruled.

"Neville had no chance. He was out-voted by the other two locals, and Morley didn't have to go before a hearing at all," said Chalmers.

"The one on Nigel wasn't even put forward for consideration, and Morley's effort was pushed under the carpet - despite Neville believing it was serious enough to warrant a suspension of between four and six weeks."

Morley spent six seasons at NRL side Sydney Roosters where he quickly attracted the attention of the authorities for a string of on-the-field misdemeanours.

The RFL are expected to give their response to the criticism on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's series opener in Huddersfield on Saturday.