New Zealand Rugby League is committed to rescheduling the cancelled Rarotonga test match and will still send a group of players to make commun- ity appearances in the Cook Islands, said chief executive Jim Doyle.

In a release published on NZRL.co.nz, Doyle said the side was reluctantly forced to call off next weeks test against the Cook Islands due to the unavailability of the 29 frontline players, who are tied up with this weekends NRL grand finals.

The Kiwis were due to fly to the Cook Islands next Tuesday to play their first-ever test here on October 6. But Doyle said the unavailability of such a large pool of players had left the NZRL with no option but to cancel the test.

We are committed to rescheduling the test in the Cook Islands in the future but we arent in the position to be able to do the event justice on this occasion, he said.

There are so many players out of contention that we simply wouldnt be able to select a side which would be of the standard we require to represent New Zealand in a test match.

Were bitterly disappointed it has come to this because this match was critical for us in terms of preparation for the test against Australia on October 16 and the Four Nations to follow. It was also vital to help foster the game in the islands.

While the match had been called off, Doyle said a group of key players would travel to Rarotonga next week to make community appearances there.

Doyle said the Kiwis squad for the one-off test against Australia and the Four Nations to follow was due to be named on October 6.

The press release included a list of New Zealands unavailable players in the effort to show their selection issues.

The Cook Islands, too, had a number of players unavailable through injury and other commitments.

The Kuki teams list of injured and unavailable players includes John Puna, Fabian Soutar, Zeb Taia, Peni Terepo, Chris Taripo, Monikura Tikinau, Japeth Vaoa, Tyrone Viiga, Neccrom Areaiiti, Aaron Cannings, Geoff Daniella, Ben Henry, Keith Lulia, Sema Mataora, Fred Makimare, Joseph Matapuku, Dylan Nappa and Marty Mitchell.

Players unavailable to the Kiwis squad through injury or finals commitments were Gerard Beale, Kevin Locke, Josh Hoffman, Lance Hohaia, Manu Vatuvei, Matt Duffie, Jason Nightingale, Sam Perrett, Krisnan Inu, Bill Tupou, Simon Mannering, Steve Matai, Lewis Brown, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Benji Marshall, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Nathan Fien, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Adam Blair, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Greg Eastwood, Sam Rapira, Alex Glenn, Frank Pritchard, Aaron Heremaia, Thomas Leuluai and Bronson Harrison.

New Zealand Rugby League is committed to rescheduling the cancelled Rarotonga test match and will still send a group of players to make commun- ity appearances in the Cook Islands, said chief executive Jim Doyle.

In a release published on NZRL.co.nz, Doyle said the side was reluctantly forced to call off next weeks test against the Cook Islands due to the unavailability of the 29 frontline players, who are tied up with this weekends NRL grand finals.

The Kiwis were due to fly to the Cook Islands next Tuesday to play their first-ever test here on October 6. But Doyle said the unavailability of such a large pool of players had left the NZRL with no option but to cancel the test.

We are committed to rescheduling the test in the Cook Islands in the future but we arent in the position to be able to do the event justice on this occasion, he said.

There are so many players out of contention that we simply wouldnt be able to select a side which would be of the standard we require to represent New Zealand in a test match.

Were bitterly disappointed it has come to this because this match was critical for us in terms of preparation for the test against Australia on October 16 and the Four Nations to follow. It was also vital to help foster the game in the islands.

While the match had been called off, Doyle said a group of key players would travel to Rarotonga next week to make community appearances there.

Doyle said the Kiwis squad for the one-off test against Australia and the Four Nations to follow was due to be named on October 6.

The press release included a list of New Zealands unavailable players in the effort to show their selection issues.

The Cook Islands, too, had a number of players unavailable through injury and other commitments.

The Kuki teams list of injured and unavailable players includes John Puna, Fabian Soutar, Zeb Taia, Peni Terepo, Chris Taripo, Monikura Tikinau, Japeth Vaoa, Tyrone Viiga, Neccrom Areaiiti, Aaron Cannings, Geoff Daniella, Ben Henry, Keith Lulia, Sema Mataora, Fred Makimare, Joseph Matapuku, Dylan Nappa and Marty Mitchell.

Players unavailable to the Kiwis squad through injury or finals commitments were Gerard Beale, Kevin Locke, Josh Hoffman, Lance Hohaia, Manu Vatuvei, Matt Duffie, Jason Nightingale, Sam Perrett, Krisnan Inu, Bill Tupou, Simon Mannering, Steve Matai, Lewis Brown, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Benji Marshall, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Nathan Fien, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Adam Blair, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Greg Eastwood, Sam Rapira, Alex Glenn, Frank Pritchard, Aaron Heremaia, Thomas Leuluai and Bronson Harrison.