Hugh McGahan: Vainikolo eruption is over the top

After the Lesley Vainikolo affair, it seems to me we're getting just a little too paranoid on the subject of the other international bodies playing games with poor, little New Zealand.

The shenanigans displayed by Australia have been going on for years. It's a just a matter of waiting to see who is going to be the one to be withdrawn for injury reasons or who will be suspended.

Vainikolo has required surgery after his season with the Bradford Bulls and immediately we cry foul.

Why do we assume there is a conspiracy against New Zealand?

Do we really think that everyone is against us and will use their hold over players to sabotage our chances of taking victory in the Tri-Nations?

Well I ask, would we do the same if we had players playing for other countries?

My answer is, yes we would.

Go back only 12 months and it was the Warriors who requested that numerous players withdraw from the last Tri-Nations for similar reasons.

Players were required for surgery and rehabilitation and did we kick up a fuss? No, we didn't, so what is the difference?

We tend to dwell on the them-and-us theory which gives us comfort or maybe a reason to be critical of the opposition. But why did we not complain profusely when the Warrior players were withdrawn?

The fact of the matter is there is no conspiracy.

Clubs need to care for their investments and if they require rehab or surgery then that is what they will do.

I don't want to burst the bubble but if we continue to hold on to the conspiracy theory, the more we will be frustrated by a matter that will not be resolved.

The international body has no teeth and, given it's powered by Australians, New Zealand will not have enough clout to influence any changes to the current processes - certainly not until the Kiwi team performs at a level where it is deemed a powerhouse and wins more games.

Then we will have stronger revenue potential to determine proceedings, especially with television.

From there, we start to influence decisions in our favour, seeking stronger control from the international federation for how player availability can be more transparent - allowing players to decide for themselves if they can play for their country before an operation is required.

We will arrive closer to this point if our Kiwi team continues on its current path and establishes an aura similar to the Australians.

But not before.