So rugby league's international watchdog does have a few teeth after all.

The decision by the Rugby League International Federation to force Leeds and Wigan to release players to New Zealand for Friday's centenary Test in Sydney was as welcome as it was surprising.

For too long the international game has played second fiddle to the clubs, who wield an inordinate amount of power, but the Federation finally came good and made a decision for the general wellbeing of the game.

If Super League clubs wish to sign international overseas players, they must be prepared to release them for international matches, regardless of the consequences domestically.

The timing of the mid-season Test, which was sandwiched between the Millennium Magic weekend and the fifth round of the Challenge Cup, was unfortunate but that was no fault of the Kiwis, who had every right to select their best team.

In the event, both Leeds full-back Brent Webb and Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai hardly covered themselves in glory against Australia and that may have a bearing on the selectors' decisions next year.

It was, of course, totally unreasonable to expect Leuluai to perform at his best after a gruelling 24-hour flight, arriving in camp just two days before the Test and having played for his club three days before that.

The International Federation brushed aside objections from the Rugby Football League but they should really have taken an even stronger line and insisted that the players be stood down by their clubs a week before the Test to enable them to prepare properly.

The acid test will come next year when Leeds second rower Gareth Ellis is plying his trade with Wests Tigers in Australia's National Rugby League.

It is to be hoped the Federation will not change their policy if and when England request the services of Ellis for their mid-season international against France.

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