England will not tour New Zealand in 2012

England will not tour the southern hemisphere in 2012, according to RFL chief executive Nigel Wood.

Wood confirmed the next Four Nations tournament will not take place until 2014 at the earliest, and was critical of his Australian Rugby League counterparts who are opting to give their players a rest from international rugby league next season.

He said: “The RFL’s policy on the primacy of international football is not necessarily shared by everyone around the world.

“The NRL have issues of their own to work through, but hopefully the new administration will have a more enlightened attitude.”

A new independent commission is beginning to take shape in Australia to take over running the NRL, Australian rugby league’s flagship competition.

The news could still see New Zealand or Pacific nations tour England to give Steve McNamara’s side some time to prepare for the 2013 World Cup in England, Wales, Ireland and France. The RFL are expected to announce a programme up to the World Cup that will see competitive matches for the England side.