KEY POINTS:
The Australian Rugby League has rejected a suggestion that it knew beforehand Nathan Fien was ineligible to turn out for the Kiwis in the Tri-Nations.
Fien, who was ineligible on residency grounds, slipped into the Kiwis on the basis of what he thought was his grandmother's birth certificate.
However, the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) later said the birth certificate was that of his great-grandmother, who was born in Wanganui, thereby contravening eligibility rules.
The Kiwis were subsequently docked their points gained after beating Great Britain 18-14 and the scores for both teams expunged.
Radio Sport reported today the NZRL are likely to claim at tomorrow's International Federation meeting that Australia knew Fien was ineligible the whole time and, under the constitution, therefore is also guilty of contributing to the fiasco.
It said the ARL had two years ago researched player eligibility for State of Origin matches and the Kangaroos.
However, ARL chief executive Geoff Carr told the station this morning Australia did not know Fien was ineligible.
Australia took the NZRL on their original word about Fien's grandmother before the facts about his great grandmother came out, Carr said.
Once they had the written testimony from New Zealand, they had to believe it, he said.
- NZPA
