League bosses tighten eligibility regulations

Fuifui Moimoi has played for both the Kiwis and Tonga. Photo / Greg Bowker

MANCHESTER - Rugby league bosses have tightened international qualification regulations in the face of mounting criticism over players switching countries too often.

As New Zealand prepare to take on England this Sunday (NZT) for a spot in the Four Nations final, developments in Paris at a meeting of the Rugby League International Federation executive could mean the Kiwis will not be able to call up many players from the Pacific nations in future.

"We have tightened it up a little - once you play in a World Cup qualifier for one country, you cannot switch to another for the World Cup," RLIF executive chairman Colin Love said.

"There won't be the provision to apply to change. It just won't be permitted."

Had the rule applied for the 2008 World Cup, New Zealand would not have been able to take Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki on tour to Europe in 2007, while Tonga's Feleti Mateo would have been disqualified from Australian selection for three years.

Moimoi and Tuiaki applied to change their eligibility a second time and, when denied, took legal action and were cleared by the courts to return to the Tongan side - but only if they made the semifinals, which they did not.

Love said the rule did not affect players who represented a country in test series or tournaments with no World Cup bearing, nor would it stop the likes of Jarryd Hayne and Neville Costigan playing State of Origin and going on to represent another nation.

"But all players who play Origin must, in the first instance, be available for Australia," he said.

Players who want to change to another country after representing one in a non-World Cup game must still apply to the RLIF.

Jarryd Hayne and Michael Jennings playing for Fiji and Tonga respectively just 12 months ago and then appearing in the Four Nations for Australia has confused some commentators. The RLIF considers the period between World Cups as a "cycle" with all players allowed to change their election at the end of that cycle.

Australia, New Zealand, England, France and Papua New Guinea do not need to play qualifiers - meaning the younger nations can still call up players from those nations who miss section for a World Cup.

The makeup and format of the next World Cup will be discussed in Paris next week.

In other news, out-of-favour Kiwis centre Krisnan Inu has admitted he is getting "itchy feet" for some game time after missing selection so far in the tournament.

Despite an eye injury to Steve Matai, coach Stephen Kearney said Parramatta's Inu is far from being an automatic replacement for the final pool match at Galpharm Stadium.

The Kiwis will again name a team at the last moment allowed under tournament rules - exactly 48 hours before kick-off which is Thursday evening local time.

"At first I was having trouble with my hamstring and I wasn't 100 per cent," Inu said. "It was still a problem after the grand final.

"But as the tour has gone on, I'm getting a bit of itchy feet and I'd love to get out there. People get niggles and injuries and you've just got to prepare as if you are going to play and an opportunity might come up."

Asked if Kearney had told him what he would need to do to get into the side, Inu said: "No, I've heard nothing at all, actually."

Prevented from training on the Galpharm by stadium officials, the Kiwis visited for a walk around yesterday. Kearney remains hopeful of considering Bronson Harrison and Jeff Lima (both calf injuries) for selection while Manly's Matai is officially out.

England five-eighth Danny McGuire has pleaded for a second chance after a poor display against Australia last Saturday.

"I was disappointed with some areas of my game last week but I know what I need to do to put things right and hope Tony gives me a chance to help the boys build on what we did in the second half last Saturday," Leeds' McGuire said.

- NZPA