Adam Blair acknowledges the crowd after the Kiwis World Cup game against Tonga last year. Photo: Getty ImagesA proposal for the Kiwis to play a test in Denver looks likely to be shot down but they could play the Kangaroos in Qatar - if Australian coach Mal Meninga gets his way. Meninga is considering an expression of interest for the Australian side to host an end of season test in Qatar in October, and the Kiwis could play the World Cup champions there as a warm-up for their three-test series against England in the UK. Kiwis World Cup captain Adam Blair wants assurances around player welfare before he commits to the Denver test, and believes there's more pressing business to attend to here in New Zealand. Kiwis and Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson was more enthusiastic about the chance to play in the US and laughed off concerns over player burnout.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 21, 2018 19:18 UTC