Wales produced a brave display before the Kiwi tourists eased away to win 50-22 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday.

St Helens hooker Cunningham ruled himself out of the match with a recurrence of a hand injury.

But Kelly is unhappy that Cunningham failed to turn up to be assessed by the Wales team doctor, intimating that the player was being kept safe for Great Britain's series against New Zealand.

"The regulations require Keiron to turn up and actually go through a medical before he can be put out of the game," Kelly said.

"Unfortunately he never even turned up for the bus.

"You could be a little bit mischievous and think there's some collusion to make sure that he was available for the Great Britain side for the forthcoming Test series.

"But ultimitely it's the player's decision whether he turns up or not."

Kelly knows that rugby league faces an uphill struggle to try and establish itself in the union stronghold of Wales.

The official attendance at the 72,000-seater Millennium Stadium on Sunday was under 9,000 - less than union club sides Newport and Cardiff regularly attract.

"We're fighting a battle to establish ourselves within Wales," Kelly added.

"It may seem after this Test series that we're actually fighting a battle to establish ourselves within the Rugby League itself."