THE simmering hostilities between Test coaches Ricky Stuart and Brian McClennan boiled over yesterday when the Australian mentor accused his New Zealand counterpart of disrespecting the game by snubbing the World Cup launch.

The two coaches, who have traded barbs since Stuart took over from Wayne Bennett in early 2006, had maintained an uneasy ceasefire during the campaign for tonight's Test in Brisbane. However, after McClennan and Kiwis skipper Roy Asotasi pulled out of the launch at late notice, Stuart let fly with a stinging volley clearly designed to unsettle his opponent ahead of the game.

"What's his name … McClennan, what's his first name? - I think he's got to understand the game is bigger than one person," Stuart said. "If he wants to create a scene, the thing he is trying to create is nowhere near as important as our centenary year and the hosting of the Rugby League World Cup.

"He's got to understand these types of functions and the game itself are a lot more important than him. [But] I didn't even know he was not here - that's how much his little stunt meant to me."

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said he was "at a loss" to explain the no-shows, adding: "The most disappointing thing is we never found out until just before."

McClennan defended himself, saying both he and his captain could not attend the launch - which confirmed Suncorp Stadium as the venue for next year's World Cup final - because they had a late finish to their training session. "We haven't changed anything from the schedule we put out two weeks ago," he said. "We were going to try our best [to attend the launch] but because we hadn't finished our training … we've got a Test to prepare for.

"If we had have finished training in time, of course I would have attended. But as it was, it went on, and we went and did Haka practice at the end of training because we haven't been able to do that in the short week.

"I wouldn't disrespect the international game and snub it at all. I think it's poor form that that's what's been indicated."

Asked about Stuart's comments specifically, McClennan said: "Have I ever done anything against the spirit of the game? I certainly wouldn't snub anything in the game. I want the game internationally to keep prospering."

Asked if he felt Stuart was feeling extra pressure, McClennan said: "I don't know Ricky Stuart, and I am not intending to get to know him."

McClennan also turned the blowtorch back on the Australians, accusing officials of cheapening tonight's Test by holding the launch of next year's World Cup the day before the game.

"I want to keep respecting international rugby league by making sure our team is prepared properly," he said. "You wouldn't want them to cut short the training then go to the do and not do too well on the night, and say, well, it was a do I had to go to."

McClennan also attacked Stuart over his desire to meet referee Steve Ganson before the game, saying the Australian coach should "do his homework" and watch video footage of Ganson's performances in the English Super League.

And he expressed concern over the state of the pitch, which has been affected by a bug, saying the turf was "loose" during the final training run yesterday.

Stuart said the Kiwis had picked a better side than the one that almost defeated the Kangaroos in the Tri-Nations final last November, even though experienced players Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki, Nigel Vagana and David Kidwell were missing.

"Aside from the experience [they have lost], there's a lot of flair in this footy team," Stuart said. "I think you'll see a better attacking team [tonight]."

Meanwhile, Australia skipper Darren Lockyer indicated he would quit representative football after the World Cup, which raises the prospect of his lifting the trophy in his farewell match in front of his home crowd at Suncorp Stadium.

"If you write a script … I started playing for Australia in '97, we've got the World Cup next year," he said. "It would be a fitting end to what has been a really enjoyable [representative] career for me."