This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/rugby_league/international_and_australian/6098474.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| NZ stripped of Tri-Nations points | NZ stripped of Tri-Nations points |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| New Zealand have been fined two points by the Rugby League International Federation for fielding an ineligible player in the Tri-Nations. | New Zealand have been fined two points by the Rugby League International Federation for fielding an ineligible player in the Tri-Nations. |
| Australian-born Nathan Fien, 27, has been banned from the rest of the tournament after playing in matches against Australia and Great Britain. | Australian-born Nathan Fien, 27, has been banned from the rest of the tournament after playing in matches against Australia and Great Britain. |
| Hooker Fien was picked as he had a Kiwi-born great-grandmother, but eligibility only covers grandparents. | Hooker Fien was picked as he had a Kiwi-born great-grandmother, but eligibility only covers grandparents. |
| The verdict puts Australia in the final and makes GB favourites to join them. | The verdict puts Australia in the final and makes GB favourites to join them. |
| Highlights: New Zealand 18-14 Great Britain | Highlights: New Zealand 18-14 Great Britain |
| We're told that it was an honest mistake that this information wasn't communicated to us, but we're certainly disappointed RLIF chairman Colin Love | |
| After hearing the verdict, the New Zealand Rugby League said it accepted the decision and would not be taking any further action. | After hearing the verdict, the New Zealand Rugby League said it accepted the decision and would not be taking any further action. |
| "The NZRL accepts it made an error and will not challenge the decision," said a statement released by NZRL general manager Peter Cordtz. | "The NZRL accepts it made an error and will not challenge the decision," said a statement released by NZRL general manager Peter Cordtz. |
| "Nathan Fien acted honestly at all times in his disclosures to the NZRL. | "Nathan Fien acted honestly at all times in his disclosures to the NZRL. |
| "Accordingly, Nathan Fien had no charge to answer; nor did any other person." | "Accordingly, Nathan Fien had no charge to answer; nor did any other person." |
| 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. | 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. |
| Love said he was extremely disappointed by the whole affair. | |
| "The game is based on trust between the nations and we've acted accordingly," he said. | |
| "We're told they acted in good faith, but it was never communicated to us that it was Fien's great-grandmother and not his grandmother who was born in New Zealand. | |
| "I don't know whether it's deceit. We're told that it was an honest mistake that this information wasn't communicated to us, but we're certainly disappointed." | |
| 606: DEBATE Surely New Zealand could have found a hooker with actual Kiwi ancestry? Ian 606: Have your say | 606: DEBATE Surely New Zealand could have found a hooker with actual Kiwi ancestry? Ian 606: Have your say |
| The NZRL knew of Fien's eligibility problems on 19 October, two days before the second clash with the Kangaroos in Melbourne. | The NZRL knew of Fien's eligibility problems on 19 October, two days before the second clash with the Kangaroos in Melbourne. |
| Love described the hearing as "one of the darkest days" in his time in charge of the ARL. | Love described the hearing as "one of the darkest days" in his time in charge of the ARL. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | In two months' time, Fien would qualify to play for the Kiwis through residency as he plays for the New Zealand Warriors. |