League: Australian threatens haka uproar [+audio]

Nathan Fien

An Australian rugby league legend says Nathan Fien had "better not" take part in the haka tomorrow night for the Kiwis, or there could be reprisals.

Outspoken former rugby league international Mark Geyer was chipping away at new Kiwi Nathan Fien, who is in the squad for tomorrow's clash against the Kangaroos in Melbourne and whose nationality is in some dispute.

Geyer says the selection cheapens the Kiwis' jumper and makes a mockery of the international game.

What Geyer suggests as retribution could cause a sporting furore between the trans-tasman neighbours of a level not seen since cricket's infamous "underarm" incident of 1981.

In a vitriolic attack, Geyer has encouraged the Kangaroos to turn their backs on him during the haka.

He posed the question that if the haka is sacred, why let a bloke off the street who has been in New Zealand for two years perform the haka as it is supposed to be a ritual that dates back centuries. Geyer says Fien is as Australian as Slim Dusty,and it is like Skippy performing the haka.

He said it is disappointing to have a selection that has finally tipped the scales into the realms of basic stupidity.

Fien plays off the bench tomorrow night, and is eligible for the Kiwis through his grandmother from Wanganui.

Australian officials were a little suspicious and asked to see his paper work.

NZRL chairman Selwyn Bennett has confirmed ARL boss Geoff Carr demanded to see a birth certificate to prove Fien's grandmother was born in New Zealand. Bennett says they had a copy of the birth certificate ready to go, and the Australians have dropped off the case.

Carr says there are rules, so Fien needed to provide proof.

Nathan Fien is expecting a few verbals tomorrow night from his former countrymen, but nothing more.

- NEWSTALK ZB