NEW ZEALAND Rugby League officials will plead for funding assistance from their Australian counterparts on the eve of the Centenary Test between the two nations.

The cash-strapped NZRL needs a seven-figure injection of funds after Sport & Recreation New Zealand, a government sports agency, threatened to withdraw all its public funding of the sport.

The Kiwis struggled on and off the field in 2008 and will now go cap in hand to the Australian Rugby League.

New Zealand's perilous financial state will be at top of the agenda at Thursday's Rugby League International Federation meeting. The timing couldn't be any worse - the next day the Kiwis take on the Kangaroos in a clash which marks, to the day, the first encounter between the countries.

Colin Love, chairman of both the RLIF and ARL, declined to comment on the Kiwis' financial state, although he confirmed he would discuss a "range of issues" at the scheduled meeting.

SPARC wrote to NZRL during the week demanding a full enquiry into the league's operations after admitting it had no confidence in the body. SPARC provides about $250,000 to the NZRL.

"They had a bad financial result last year and there have been discussions with the NRL partnership on how we can take the game forward in New Zealand," ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said yesterday.

"They are an important component of international rugby league and there are a number of New Zealanders that play in our competitions, so we are certainly exploring ways to assist. They certainly are looking for some assistance and it depends on the outcome of those discussions.

"They had a very ambitious year last year, they wanted to do the All Golds event to commemorate their centenary as well as taking a Test team to England.

"When you've got two full touring teams, with staff and everything else, it's a pretty expensive exercise. They had some ambitious plans that didn't quite go to plan.

"There have been some discussions and a desire to help, so we'll see what happens next week."

In some positive news for New Zealand, Super League clubs Leeds and Wigan were forced to release Brent Webb and Thomas Leuluai for Friday's Test. The RLIF ruled the pair must be allowed to play, despite pressure from their club sides.

Carr said the dramas shouldn't overshadow an historic event. "There's a lot of tradition there, both teams will be playing in heritage jumpers," he said. "The [Australian] players are excited about running out in what Dally Messenger ran out in.

"There are a lot of things to celebrate and hopefully it will be a big occasion for the game." 

THE LOWDOWN

Centenary Test, SCG. May 9

* Australia

* New Zealand squad: Brent Webb, Sam Perrett, Setaimata Sa , Iosia Soliola, Jason Nightingale, Ben Roberts, Lance Hohaia, Roy Asotasi (c), Thomas Leuluai, David Fa'alogo, Sonny Bill Williams, Jeremy Smith, Frank Pritchard, David Kidwell, Simon Mannering, Dene Halatau, Adam Blair, Nathan Cayless, Issac Luke (two to be omitted).