NZRL boss predicts exciting future

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Buoyed by an on-budget Four Nations that means a handsome profit will return with him to New Zealand this week, NZRL chairman Scott Carter is promising a "veritable banquet" of test match league on these shores next season.

The Kiwis will have four home tests – a rare deluge of international football – spread around the country next year. And the NZRL is also ready to create a national under-20 side and perhaps resurrect the national "A" team.

Carter is now just weeks from confirming a planned Kiwis v Kangaroos, England v PNG double-header at Eden Park next November as part of the Four Nations hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

And the chairman is so confident league tests have become financially viable in New Zealand, he is considering trying to prise the May Anzac test away from Australia and play it here in 2011 – the first time since 1998.

"Our priority is regular international fixtures at home for the Kiwis," Carter told Sunday News this week. "2010 will be a veritable banquet of Kiwis tests for home fans."

New Zealand will play a warm-up against a Pacific Island nation, then three Four Nations tests against England, Australia and PNG at home.

They will play at least one home test in 2011 against an island side and possibly host the Anzac test.

For the first time, the NZRL is asking for tenders from stadiums to host the games and Carter says demand has been high, particularly from stadiums wanting to test themselves before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

In another development, Carter says developing test football for the under-20 Toyota Cup grade is a "must-achieve" for New Zealand and he expects a New Zealand v Australia game next year and even an under-20 Tri Nations.

The NZRL now appears headed for a positive balance sheet in January, with Carter saying this year's Four Nations would hit budget.

"It's fair to say England, Australia and New Zealand took a conservative view: we didn't want a repeat of 2007," he said, referring to the Kiwis' disastrous trip to England two years ago. "All three nations wanted to see a stable tournament – we literally couldn't afford to lose money."

Carter said the four-team format had worked and would be retained.

"The consensus is that France has stepped up: that was always the worry. But we are really pleased with how France shaped up, especially considering the challenges of injury, suspension and swine flu."