League: Rebel group not worried over consequences

FNDRL spokesperson Hone Harawira. Photo / File

Plans for several Far North rugby league clubs to break away from under the New Zealand Rugby League could be hung out to dry if Rugby League Northland board's response is anything to go by.

The board has released its revision of the Far North District Rugby League's proposal to split from the RLN competition, and the ramifications look certain to soak through.

Outlining that a separate Far North entity operating as a pirate competition would fail to be fully-sanctioned, the board's response added that "NZRL has advised the FNDRL group that RLN has the mandate to rule on matters within the zone and believes the appropriate and correct decision has been reached by RLN.

"NZRL will not sanction or recognise another entity within the zone and advised the group that playing in a non-sanctioned competition may have consequences to players and volunteers, such as players not being eligible to play representative football, teams will not be sanctioned to tour overseas, clubs and the proposed organisation will not be eligible for gaming trust funding and other community funding, official referees will not be provided by NZRL or RLN, [and] coach and referee development will not be provided by NZRL or RLN."

Speaking to the Northland Age, Far North District Rugby League spokesperson Hone Harawira felt that FNDRL's raincoat will provide sufficient protection to the drenching they could receive if they were to split.

Harawira said he has been consulting with a number of powerbrokers in league within New Zealand, including NZRL board member and Kiwis selector Tawera Nikau, and John Devonshire, the chairman of New Zealand Maori Rugby League, along with various officials from Maori league strongholds on the east coast.

"Everywhere I have gone, the support for what we are doing has been huge, except for the NZRL who I suspect are feeling threatened by the growth of Maori Rugby League. NZRL even tried to block the Maori Tournaments this year (unsuccessfully)," he said.

While noting that a return by Far North clubs to the RLN was not totally out of the question, Harawira said the RLN had done "nothing to remedy the situation" which had led to the establishment of the breakaway group in the first place.

"Rugby League Northland's rejection of our proposals in favour of a structure that has always favoured Whangarei clubs over Far North clubs is disappointing, but not surprising given that the board is essentially made up of people who live in and around Whangarei.

"The cost of travel means there has never been a level playing field for rugby league in Northland. RLN has done nothing to remedy the situation. Even when we offered solutions, RLN rejected them," said Harawira.