Webb (left) and Leuluai are set to play for New Zealand

Leeds and Wigan have lost their dispute with New Zealand over the release of players for the centenary Test between the Kiwis and Australia on 9 May.

Leeds full-back Brent Webb and Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai must be allowed to play, the Rugby League International Federation has ruled.

The Test clashes with the fifth round of the Challenge Cup and both clubs initially refused to release the duo.

But RLIF chairman Colin Love rejected a plea to excuse both players.

Leeds play fellow Super League club Harlequins on Sunday week while Wigan meet Whitehaven a day later.

The row escalated when New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney named both players in his team and insisted that he expected them to arrive in camp.

The Rugby Football League tried to persuade the RLIF to make an exception to the rule.

But Love, in a telephone link-up with RFL chairman Richard Lewis and RLIF secretary David Gallop, rejected the bid.

606: DEBATE Have the RLIF imposed a justified ruling?

The RLIF ruled in favour of New Zealand, stating the clubs had not proved under its rules that the players should not be made available to play for their country.

If Webb and Leuluai do not travel to Australia, they will not be permitted to play for their clubs within five days of the Test.

Both clubs were quick to express their disappointment.

"We will abide by the ruling but we are very disappointed with the way the whole thing has been managed, by New Zealand in particular, and by the International Board," said Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington.

"It is ridiculous to place such demands on players. They should not be put in this position."

Wigan chief executive Joe Lydon said his sympathy lies with scrum-half Leuluai.

"Our whole stance was based on player welfare and the fact that a one-off Test in the middle of our domestic season is less than ideal," he said.

"We do not wish to stand in anyone's way of representing their country because it is the pinnacle of their career but our objective and our concern was for the player's welfare.

This situation clearly shows the current RLIF rules regarding international call-ups need reviewing to take into account the modern game name here

"To expect a player to travel 24,000 miles and play three games in 11 days, including a Test match, is unfair."

The RFL said it would abide by the ruling, but said action needed to be taken to ensure that the situation did not arise in the future.

"What this situation clearly shows is that the current RLIF rules regarding international call-ups need reviewing to take into account the modern game and the rugby league calendar," he said.

"When the RLIF meets in Sydney next week the RFL will be calling for a full review of the relevant rules.

"It was particularly disappointing that the NZRL went ahead with their selection of two players against the request of the RFL and the players' clubs."