The RLIF has requested Federation Francaise de Rugby a XIII (French national Rugby League body) provide a business plan and costings for having the Tri Nations Series – traditionally an Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain contested event – extended to include a fourth country.

The duration of the proposed quadrangular competition would be reduced, providing blockbuster matches at major United Kingdom and French Stadiums.

During today’s meeting of the RLIF Executive Committee, the New Zealand Rugby League formally submitted an apology, and expressed regret, relating to Nathan Fien’s selection to represent New Zealand in this year’s Tri Nations tournament.

The RLIF Executive Committee accepted this apology, and subsequently raised the issue of player eligibility.

The Chairman of the RLIF, Mr Colin Love, said:

“After careful consideration of the existing player eligibility rules, the RLIF has come to the conclusion that it remains the responsibility of participating nations to ensure players are eligible.

“The Federation does not see any problems with the current rules, but is prepared to consider any submission relating to this matter.”

The RLIF is delighted with both Fiji and Tonga’s success in gaining qualification to the 2008 World Cup, following their efforts in the Oceania qualification tournament played in Sydney.

The impact of that success was reflected in the RLIF’s decision to approve a request from Fiji to host an Under-18 International tournament in Fiji next year.

The RLIF also noted the success of the Federation Shield – which includes participating nations Tonga, Samoa, France and England.

Rugby Football League executive chairman, and RLIF Executive Committee member, Mr Richard Lewis, said this weekend’s final between Tonga and England would be an eagerly anticipated match.

“The Federation Shield has been a very successful tournament and provided a very good international opportunity for Tonga and Samoa,” Mr Lewis said.

“It’s been a very good experience for the English and French players, who matched themselves up against teams they haven’t seen very much of.

“English fans were taken aback by the standard of the Samoan and Tongan teams, and the RFL expects an exciting grand final, which will be shown live in both Tonga and England.”

RLIF Executive Chairman, Mr Love, said the success of both the Federation Shield and Tri Nations tournaments had paved the way for an exciting lead up to the 2008 World Cup in Australia.

“The Federation noted the success of the Tri Nations thus far, in particular the crowd figure for Melbourne and the excellent ticket sales for the upcoming match in Brisbane,” Mr Love said.

“In addition to the standard of play, one of the most pleasing aspects for the RLIF is the consequent economic benefit for both of those cities.

“Those factors augur well for the World Cup in 2008, and the RLIF is pleased with this progress made in the all-important lead up to our game’s biggest event.”

Other points to have come out of today’s meeting included:

- The RLIF has granted the RFL permission to trial restrictive use of trainers carrying water, to ensure that trainers don’t intrude on the ground unnecessarily.

- The success of the RLIF.org - the RLIF’s recently launched website which has provided viewers with Rugby League results, news and information from around the world.

Two days later the Gold Coast Titans will be welcomed into the competition with a blockbuster against the St George Illawarra Dragons, this match will also be at Suncorp Stadium.

The opening weekend of the Premiership will mark the beginning of the new scheduling format that sees two matches played on a Friday night and a Monday night fixture.

Grand Finalists Melbourne Storm will meet the Wests Tigers in the other round one Friday night game and the Sydney Roosters will host the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Aussie Stadium for the first game of Monday night football which will be launched live on Fox Sports.

In recognition of the game’s growing national focus Channel Nine will mark the occasion by broadcasting the Storm v Tigers match live into Melbourne and Sydney, and the Broncos v Cowboys match will be live into Queensland.

The Friday night ‘live’ games will also see radio broadcasts for the first time courtesy of 2GB, ABC and MMM will broadcast Monday night.

Full details for round one of the 2007 Telstra Premiership are outlined below with the complete draw to be released next week.

NRL Chief Executive Mr David Gallop and representatives from all three clubs were joined by Queensland Minister for Tourism, Fair trading, Wine Industry Development and Women, the Honourable Margaret Keech for the announcement at the Q1 building on the Gold Coast today.

“Today’s announcement pays tribute to the strengthening of the Premiership in Queensland,” Mr Gallop said.

“As reigning premiers it’s only appropriate that the Broncos should officially kick-off the season against the Cowboys who have emerged as not only a great Queensland rival but a Telstra premiership force.

“The much anticipated entry of the Titans into the competition is well worth celebrating at the season launch, one of the feature events of the NRL calendar.”

Queensland State Minister & Gold Coast MP Mrs Margaret Keech said the focus on Queensland was appropriate for such a League loving state.

“Queensland passion for Rugby League is unquestioned and I’m delighted to see that the NRL spotlight will be firmly focused on our achievements for the start of the 2007 season,” Mrs Keech said.

Broncos CEO Mr Bruno Cullen said the club is looking forward to the challenges that come with being title holders.

“We obviously had a terrific 2006 season and there’s a real focus from the team already, to repeat the effort in 2007,” Mr Cullen said.

“It’s a fair reflection on Queenslanders generally that the Broncos-Cowboys rivalry is fast becoming one of the best in Australian sport so it’s going to be a wonderful way to start the season.”

The Cowboys meanwhile will use the match to make their intentions clear for the year ahead.

“We’re very determined to improve and be back in the finals next year and I can think of no better way to get the ball rolling than against the premiers at Suncorp Stadium,” said CEO Mr Peter Parr.

Newcomers, the Gold Coast Titans, are counting the days till they too can make their mark on the Queensland Rugby League landscape.

“We appreciate we’ve got some way to go but we’re here to make an impression and I think the season launch presents us with a great opportunity to let everyone know what we’re about,” Mr Searle said.

“Playing at Suncorp Stadium in round one of the 2007 Telstra Premiership is a terrific result for the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and our many thousands of supporters who will now be able to attend and be a part of this historic occasion.

“To be drawn against a Club steeped in history like St George is a fantastic opportunity for the Jetstar Titans and a great chance for coach John Cartwright’s side to make a strong first up impression and show everyone know what we’re about.”

NRL 2007 DRAW - ROUND 1

Kiwis coach Brian McClennan has made a number of changes for the vital clash against Great Britain in Wellington on Saturday night.

Shontayne Hape returns from injury as do Steve Matai and Dene Halatau.

Hape will pair up on the wing with Manu Vatuvei while Matai joins Iosia Soliola in the centres for the game at Westpac Trust Stadium.

Nigel Vagana moves back to stand off while Halatau will start at hooker.

Stacey Jones will again start at halfback with Ruben Wiki and Roy Asotasi making up the front row.

Simon Mannering, David Kidwell and David Fa’alogo make up the back row.

Motu Tony, Nathan Cayless, Adam Blair and Frank Pritchard will start on the interchange bench.

The Kiwis side is:

1. Brent Webb, 2. Shontayne Hape, 3. Iosia Soliola, 4. Steve Matai, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Nigel Vagana, 7. Stacey Jones, 8. Ruben Wiki ©, 9. Dene Halatau, 10. Roy Asotasi, 11. David Kidwell, 12. Simon Mannering, 13. David Fa’alogo. Interchange: 14. Motu Tony, 15. Nathan Cayless, 16. Adam Blair, 17. Frank Pritchard.