England coach Bennett says New Zealand Test in USA is '˜perfect to grow the game'

The match between re-appointed head coach Wayne Bennett’s England and the Kiwis will be staged at the Mile High Stadium in Denver on Saturday, June 23, with a local 2pm kick-off.

The international, organised and funded by Australian promoter Jason Moore to raise the profile of rugby league ahead of the 2025 World Cup in the United States, will go ahead despite opposition from some NRL clubs concerned over player welfare.

The match will take place on a blank weekend in Super League which was set aside for the Pacific Test series in Sydney and a stand-alone State of Origin match.

NZRL chairman Reon Edwards said: “We have worked with the Rugby Football League and the Rugby League International Federation on this, agreeing to play a New Zealand-England Test in the United States each year for the next three years.

“Rugby league is making impressive strides in the United States and Canada. This Test match is an opportunity to showcase the highest level of our sport in the North American market, which has significant participation and commercial potential.”

The event between two of the leading nations in Rugby League is the first step as interest builds for Rugby League World Cup 2025, set to be hosted in North America.

On the mid-season international, England Head Coach, Wayne Bennett, said: “For us to grow stronger as a group and build on the progress of last year, these are the games we need to be involved in. We saw the benefits of taking on Samoa mid-season ahead of the World Cup.

“We hear people talking about growing the game and this is the perfect opportunity to take two of the world’s elite nations over to a country that loves sport and entertainment.

“Denver will be a good fit for the game – they have popular American football, basketball, baseball, hockey and football sides, so it seems there’s a real appetite for sporting events and to experience something new in this city.

“This game has come at the right time for New Zealand who’ll be looking to improve on last year’s quarter-final exit from the World Cup. One point was the difference between us the last time we played so we’re expecting another physical battle.”

Rugby Football League Interim Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Rimmer, added: “Successful World Cup tournaments and the entry of Toronto Wolfpack into the UK competition have increased the popularity of the international game and we are all keen to take advantage of this and grow our sport across the world.

“Moore Sports International is well aware of how innovative the sport is and offered an exciting opportunity to take our players and showcase their talents and our game to an important sporting market.”