Netball: NZ deny pilfering players

By RICHARD BOOCK

Netball New Zealand have laughed off claims that they have run an international poaching ring since 1998.

Under the headline "NZ cast far and wide in bid for revenge," an article in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald accused NNZ of "poaching" one of the best goal-shoots in the world, and of having been "on the prowl" for overseas talent for the past two years.

Kiwi-born Australian goal-shoot Cath Cox said she had agreed to play for the Silver Ferns at both the 1998 Commonwealth Games and last year's world championships, but changed her mind after learning she would have to return to New Zealand to qualify for selection.

"They wanted me to live there, so I said no," Cox said. "I do consider myself an Aussie ... They weren't happy that I wasn't serious enough to move."

The claims have reignited the eligibility row over new Silver Ferns goal-shoot Irene van Dyk, who is being treated as a ring-in across the Tasman despite her claims that she transferred from South Africa this year on lifestyle grounds.

Before last night's test, New Zealand had gone down to their arch-rivals in 37 of 58 internationals, and Australian vice-captain Liz Ellis said: "They need help to beat us."

However, NNZ chief executive Shelley McMeeken has dismissed the report - which includes Ellis' frank admission that "we hate 'em" - as amusing, and points out that the van Dyk and Cox issues could not be compared as they involved completely different circumstances.

"Cath is New Zealand-born, has family over here, and at that stage [1998] had not played for Australia," McMeeken said. "We would have been remiss if we hadn't approached her.

"On the other hand, it's well known that Irene has opted to come to New Zealand with her family for lifestyle, not netball reasons."McMeeken said she had spoken to All Australia Netball chief executive Pam Smith, who endorsed New Zealand's stance and told her that AAN would have acted the same way. The same philosophy was evident in the pre-test media conference, when Australian coach Jill McIntosh played down the controversy and reiterated her belief that the match would not be dominated by one player.

"I think it's time for looking forward, rather than backward," McMeeken said.

"And that article was quite retrospective in content. I was surprised to hear someone talking about hate. We certainly don't hate Australia."