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Kiwis given time over player row NZ stripped of Tri-Nations points
(about 18 hours later)
New Zealand will learn on Thursday if they are to be stripped of Tri-Nations points for fielding an ineligible player against Great Britain. New Zealand have been fined two points by the Rugby League International Federation for fielding an ineligible player in the Tri-Nations.
The Rugby League International Federation will decide whether to strip the Kiwis of points over the apparent ineligibility of hooker Nathan Fien. Australian-born Nathan Fien, 27, has been banned from the rest of the tournament after playing in matches against Australia and Great Britain.
It has emerged that Australian-born Fien was selected on the basis of his New Zealand-born great-grandmother. Hooker Fien was picked as he had a Kiwi-born great-grandmother, but eligibility only covers grandparents.
GB coach Brian Noble has insisted that the case should be looked into. The verdict puts Australia in the final and makes GB favourites to join them.
Highlights: New Zealand 18-14 Great BritainHighlights: New Zealand 18-14 Great Britain
"I don't know who's going to deliberate this but it shouldn't be ignored," he told the Sydney Telegraph. After hearing the verdict, the New Zealand Rugby League said it accepted the decision and would not be taking any further action.
The Kiwis are our national team and I'll defend them till the end Sel Bennett,NZRL chairman "The NZRL accepts it made an error and will not challenge the decision," said a statement released by NZRL general manager Peter Cordtz.
"What they've done is field an ineligible player and won a game and got points off it." "Nathan Fien acted honestly at all times in his disclosures to the NZRL.
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." "Accordingly, Nathan Fien had no charge to answer; nor did any other person."
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 Fien's eligibility was ruled on by a committee consisting of Australia's Colin Love (chairman), NZRL's Selwyn Bennett, Rugby Football League executive chairman Richard Lewis and National Rugby League chief executive David Gallop.
"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 Surely New Zealand could have found a hooker with actual Kiwi ancestry? Ian 606: Have your say606: DEBATE Surely New Zealand could have found a hooker with actual Kiwi ancestry? Ian 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." The NZRL knew of Fien's eligibility problems on 19 October, two days before the second clash with the Kangaroos in Melbourne.
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. Love described the hearing as "one of the darkest days" in his time in charge of the ARL.
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. Australia have now qualified for the Tri-Nations final with four points from just two of their four group games, both wins over New Zealand.
The Kiwis and the Lions now have no points, with New Zealand's 18-14 win in Christchurch last Saturday discounted.
New Zealand only have one group match left while the Lions have three - one against the Kiwis and two against Australia, the first of which is in Sydney on Saturday.
Fien, who played for Queensland in State of Origin five years ago, was called into the New Zealand squad after the withdrawal of David Solomana.
The 27-year-old made his debut as a substitute in the 20-15 defeat by Australia and made his first start in Saturday's 18-14 win over Great Britain.
In two months' time, Fien would qualify to play for the Kiwis through residency as he plays for the New Zealand Warriors.