France and New Zealand forge closer ties

Despite a financial loss of up to $40,000, New Zealand wants to increase the number of tours between France and New Zealand, through not only first grade squads, but through the different age levels as well. The NZRL have taken a step a lot of other nations have been afraid of taking, and have said that they want to do their bit for International Rugby League, and thus are going to focus mainly on France.

"The NZRL are not too worried about the loss," said chairman Selwyn Pearson "We always looked on it as a developmental tour, we have to support the international game."

As a result plans are already been drawn up for a NZ Residents squad to tour with the Kiwis next year and play against France, as well as the Kiwis take on France later on, and Age group tours are also been looked at and designed.

France will now go on to take on PNG, however, will be without winger Sylvain Houles, 19, who will return to Sydney and the Penrith Panthers on a three-month development contract after impressing Panthers' assistant coach Peter Mulholland, who helped the French squad to prepare for the test.

France Tour Results: France 24 def South Island 18 France 28 def Central Districts 26 New Zealand 36 def. France 0 France 40 def Northern Districts 16