Kiwis target Archer

The Kiwis, fresh from a spirited, strong-worded attack on the judiciary, have turned their attentions to criticising the decision to appoint Australian Tony Archer as referee for their three-test series with Great Britain.

New Zealand Rugby League chairman Andrew Chalmers is insistent that Archer has been appointed for the series, which starts on Sunday morning, without his approval and is demanding urgent talks with the British RFL.

There is unease at the way Archer officiated in Warriors' games in the NFL this year – and Chalmers has said he would prefer another Australian to be in charge.

"We have to be consulted on all refereeing appointments, not told," he said yesterday. "The NZRL are waiting to be consulted. As far as we are concerned, at the moment the referee could be Mr Bean."

That bemused RFL referees director Stuart Cummings, who said: "They need to talk to (NZRL referees boss) Ian Mackintosh. He was in on the decision.

"It has been confirmed for four weeks. I have an e-mail from Ian Mackintosh confirming it all. I wouldn't have moved on getting him (Archer) across if we didn't have the Kiwis' (approval)."

Asked if it was too late to change the appointment, Cummings said: "Absolutely: he's here."

Told of those comments, Chalmers retorted: "It has never been put to me. We have to approve the referee.

"There always has to be a consensus. I have spoken to Mackintosh and he is trying to communicate with Cummings."

Decisions on international refereeing appointments tend to be a three-way discussion between Cummings, Mackintosh and Robert Finch (Australia). Cummings said all had concurred on the appointment of Archer.

Privately, Kiwi officials claim Archer would be only their fourth choice of Australian officials, a low ranking ascribed to the Warriors' unsuccessful record under the part- time police prosecutor this year – including losing both their NRL finals matches against Parramatta and the Cowboys.

However, Kiwi coach Gary Kemble applauded Archer's appointment, saying: "He's one of the top referees in the NRL and you'd have to be pleased to get a top-rated referee."

The Kiwis' complaint may also be as much a stirring exercise as part of the pre-match jousting.

That strongly held belief comes in the wake of yesterday's outburst from Chalmers, who said British forward Adrian Morley was a "maniac" and a decision not to suspend him for a high tackle on Awen Guttenbeil in the All Golds game was laughable.

Chalmers also suggested the decision by an English-dominated citing committee had given both sides free licence to head-hunt on Sunday.

Saying the system was a disgrace, he said: "They have no concept of what is right and proper. After all, they see nothing wrong in allowing a maniac like Morley to operate with a search-and-destroy mentality."

On the field, Kemble has again swung the axe on one of his key playmakers, dropping bench hooker David Faiumu from his final 17 to face Britain at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium.

As expected, Bulldogs standoff Ben Roberts is the other omission from Kemble's original 19-man squad, which means a test debut for punishing Warriors second row Epalahame Lauaki.

Lauaki is included on the bench with two recalled players, the Brisbane utility Greg Eastwood and new Warrington recruit Louis Anderson, who will offer cover at hooker for Dene Halatau.

Kemble said he would be naming his team before matchday despite it appearing that the British would follow their usual secretive policy of waiting till just before kick-off before cutting their squad down.

"They can play their games if they want to," he said.

"The Australians are professional about everything – they name their team early – so we are going to be the same and professional about it.

"They can do as much homework as they like on us. We'll go out and play our game."