Tri Nations may move down under 

The case for taking the Tri Nations to the southern hemisphere was strengthened on Wednesday when the New Zealand Rugby League revealed it was interested in co-hosting the tournament with Australia.

The future of the event is set to be discussed at an international board meeting on November 23 and Rugby Football League executive chairman Richard Lewis on Wednesday reiterated the English body was prepared to pass on the tournament next season.

NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson also chimed into the issue today, saying his body was keen to co-host the event with the Australian Rugby League provided the finances were in place.

"If the numbers were to stack up and there was a break-even bottom line, the NZRL would love to co-host the tri-series," Pearson said.

"Why wouldn't you look at it.

"The other thing is the southern hemisphere teams should travel one year, the northern hemisphere the next. Should the bottom line break-even at worst, we'd do it for our fans of rugby league.

"The NZRL would love to do it."

This year's tournament in England has been a raging success, with the RFL announcing Saturday night's clash between Australia and Great Britain at Wigan's JJB Stadium would be the second sell-out of the series.

The RFL has shown the tournament can provide a financial windfall should it be marketed correctly and Australian prop Shane Webcke said he could see no reason why the Tri Nations wouldn't be a success in the southern hemisphere.

"I think that's the key - it has to be properly promoted," Webcke said.

"Take it to the places where we will get crowds. If the Sydneysiders don't want to watch it let's take it somewhere where people will.

"There's plenty of venues around that you'll pack out.

"These are great games of footy. I know a lot of people back home watch it. Why wouldn't they come out if the spectacle is at home?"

Meanwhile, Australian coach Wayne Bennett and captain Danny Buderus on Wednesday warned the Kangaroos were still on the improve heading into Saturday night's game.

Asked whether Great Britain would get better, Bennett said: "They can but we're not playing anywhere near where we're capable of playing either.

"It will be exciting if we both get it right."

Buderus was equally positive.

"I think we have a few gears we can go up as well."

Bennett said back rower Craig Fitzgibbon remained in doubt for Saturday night's game with a shoulder injury, although the Sydney Roosters forward remained confident he would play.

"It's getting better every day," Fitzgibbon said.

"I still have a few days up my sleeve so I'm pretty confident I should be right."

In other news, Shaun Timmins was still leaning towards retiring from representative football at the end of the Tri Nations.

Timmins, who is involved in a dogfight with Mark O'Meley and Matt Bowen for a place on the Australian bench for the clash with Great Britain, has two years remaining on his contract with St George Illawarra and wants to reward the faith the club had in him when he was struck down by career-threatening knee problems.

"I haven't made a full decision," Timmins said.

"I have two years left at St George Illawarra and I have to think about that."

Webcke was also considering his future, with most people expecting the Australian front row stalwart to end his international career at the conclusion of the Tri Nations.

"I'll think about it as I'm going home. It's a long flight home to think about that."