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NZ could lose Tri-Nations points Kiwis given time over player row
(about 14 hours later)
New Zealand could be stripped of the points they earned in their Tri-Nations win over Great Britain after claims that they fielded an ineligible player. New Zealand will learn on Thursday if they are to be stripped of Tri-Nations points for fielding an ineligible player against Great Britain.
Rugby league officials will examine the matter after it was revealed Nathan Fien was selected on the basis of his New Zealand-born great-grandmother. The Rugby League International Federation will decide whether to strip the Kiwis of points over the apparent ineligibility of hooker Nathan Fien.
The Australian-born player had claimed eligibility through a Kiwi grandmother. It has emerged that Australian-born Fien was selected on the basis of his New Zealand-born great-grandmother.
If Fien is ruled ineligible, a Tri-Nations sub-committee will decide what action, if any, to take. GB coach Brian Noble has insisted that the case should be looked into.
Highlights: New Zealand 18-14 Great BritainHighlights: New Zealand 18-14 Great Britain
606: DEBATE I hope NZ aren't docked any points over this, it would devalue the competition MOS 606: Have your say The Rugby Football League said it would be receiving details about the player from the New Zealand Rugby League.
"We will consider the matter further when we receive all the information," said an RFL statement.
Great Britain coach Brian Noble insisted that the case should be looked into.
"I don't know who's going to deliberate this but it shouldn't be ignored," he told the Sydney Telegraph."I don't know who's going to deliberate this but it shouldn't be ignored," he told the Sydney Telegraph.
The Kiwis are our national team and I'll defend them till the end Sel Bennett,NZRL chairman
"What they've done is field an ineligible player and won a game and got points off it.""What they've done is field an ineligible player and won a game and got points off it."
Great Britain manager Abi Ekoku agreed and added: "If we pick up points by default then fair enough. If someone transgresses the rules, they suffer the punishment accordingly."Great Britain manager Abi Ekoku agreed and added: "If we pick up points by default then fair enough. If someone transgresses the rules, they suffer the punishment accordingly."
New Zealand Rugby League chairman Sel Bennett had revealed his body would accept any penalty handed down, despite earlier threatening to boycott the rest of the tournament if the Kiwis do lose the points gained from beating the Lions 18-14 on Saturday
"It is very emotional and you do say things in the spur of the moment and you get very heated when they threaten your team," said Bennett.
606: DEBATE I hope NZ aren't docked any points over this, it would devalue the competition MOS 606: Have your say
"The Kiwis are our national team and I'll defend them till the end. I was angry - who wouldn't be? We're holding our line, we believe we are right."
Fien, who played for Queensland in State of Origin five years ago, was called into the New Zealand Tri-Nations squad after the withdrawal of David Solomana.Fien, who played for Queensland in State of Origin five years ago, was called into the New Zealand Tri-Nations squad after the withdrawal of David Solomana.
The 27-year-old made his debut as a substitute in the 20-15 defeat to Australia and made his first start in Saturday's 18-14 win over Great Britain.The 27-year-old made his debut as a substitute in the 20-15 defeat to Australia and made his first start in Saturday's 18-14 win over Great Britain.