Brisbane Broncos and England coach Wayne Bennett has praised the upcoming Denver test between the English and the Kiwis in June.
There has been plenty on controversy surrounding the Denver match on June 23, mainly due to the 24,000km travel and altitude factor of playing at a venue 1609m above sea level.
There has been some backlash from NRL clubs who are wary of releasing players. The Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) is comfortable with the Kiwis' medical processes for the test, but is still working through other issues.
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Speaking to reporters ahead of the Broncos clash against the unbeaten Warriors in Auckland, Bennett insisted the test must go ahead for the future of international football.
"We don’t have the opportunity to play Origin and we have to take these opportunities when they come," he explained.
"Australia has a huge advantage, and everyone wants us to be competitive and we won't be competitive unless we pay these kind of games."
English duo James Graham and Gareth Widdop have been a vocal supporters of the test, even though they will likely have to play 48 hours after landing back in Australia.
Former Kiwis Olsen Filipaina, Ali Lauitiiti and Henry Fa’afili have voiced their support for the match also.
Bennett thinks if the players want to play, then why not let them play.
"If the players want to go, there isn't one player who doesn't want to be on that plane. The players have the right to play in these games.
"It is pretty unique to be over in Denver and play a game there. If I were a player, I'd want to take part as well.
"It doesn’t interrupt our season, everyone else is off for Origin, there are other internationals going on, so why can't England and New Zealand play in some part of the world."
Newshub.
