Wales' world in union blasted

Paul Moriarty: unusually stands at centre of controversy

Wales' decision to call in rugby union veterans John Devereux and Paul Moriarty has been condemned by Bob Bennett, coach of Sunday's Lincoln World Cup quarter-final opponents Papua New Guinea.

Welsh coach Clive Griffiths has obtained the services of Bridgend centre Devereux, 34, and Swansea flanker Moriarty, 36, after losing four players from his original squad.

But the Kumuls boss, brother of Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, has criticised the move, saying: "It's against the spirit of the tournament and it's against the spirit of the game.

"Which game are we talking about? I've got to question it because they're not registered rugby league players."

It's against the spirit of the tournament and it's against the spirit of the game

  Bob Bennett

Bennett had been considering bringing in Parramatta forward David Westley to bolster his quarter-final squad but is now unlikely to pursue the move "because that is not in the spirit of the game either."

Westley, who played in the 1995 World Cup, was included in Bennett's initial squad but withdrew following knee surgery.

"We made contact with him but we had a team meeting and decided to stick with the players who have got us this far," said Bennett, who has named the side that beat Tonga in their final group match.