KEY POINTS:
This has been the week from hell for the New Zealand Rugby League. I cannot remember such an issue causing so much debate and embarrassment.
From the moment Nathan Fien suggested he was eligible to play for the Kiwis, there's been plenty of discussion whether it is right for an Australian to represent New Zealand.
Despite all the arguments and vilification of the residency or heritage rules, we now find the rules need to be seriously looked at to ensure the events of the past week are never repeated.
The residency rules should be kept as they stand with an amendment - a player is eligible under this rule if his reason for residing in New Zealand is not just to play professional sport. At least in this situation, we would see if the person was serious enough to at some stage become a New Zealand citizen and, if so, they would be eligible once they became one. The heritage rule is for those grasping at any reason to play somewhere other than their home. Home is the country to which you make a commitment. I suggest we get rid of it and abide by the residency rule only.
Returning to the Fien debacle, Sel Bennett has done the honourable thing and resigned as NZRL chairman. I am not suggesting he was to blame but he has taken responsibility for the mess. There were others involved but how many, we do not know.
What difference does it make? The top person in the organisation has fallen on his sword and there's no need for further repercussions.
Are we that sadistic in this country that we wish to witness a mass of resignations or sackings? What will that achieve? All we can do is hope the lesson has been learned; we need to move on.
Yes, it was a disaster and the process has to be reviewed and changed but dwelling on who else knew and what was said is not going to achieve anything.
I must take the opportunity to tell people more about the man who has taken the fall for this. Sel Bennett loves rugby league and has given a lifetime of devotion to this sport that few are aware of.
His loyalty could never be questioned, as many would testify. Sel has also given his time to develop rugby league in other countries.
Many would say he has not been the sharpest of sports administrators but he has been an extremely successful businessman and knows a thing or two about human relations. I have known Sel since my junior days and always witnessed a committed, generous and jovial man. There will be many who will agree Sel would never have meant to deceive anyone.
As for his Australian counterparts... well, I cannot say the same of them.
