The top two sides in the NZRL National Premiership standings have been ruled out of today's competition final after they were found guilty of fielding ineligible players.
Both the first-placed Counties Manukau Stingrays and second-ranked Akarana Falcons were penalised for fielding ineligible players and the third-placed Canterbury Bulls and fourth-ranked Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions will now contest the title match.
Yesterday an NZRL jury of appeal heard an argument from Akarana over their right to take on the Bulls in the premiership decider, however both the Falcons and Stingrays had competition points deducted to see them ruled out of contention.
"Clearly we've had some issues around eligibility that has resulted in where it is but those two teams are there and will contest the final," NZRL chief executive Phil Holden said. "Both teams fielded ineligible players and we've got our rules and we had to stand by that."
The drama arose after both Counties and Akarana fielded players from the Warriors' NSW Cup side which last year came under the umbrella of Auckland Rugby League, playing as the Auckland Vulcans. This season saw the Warriors' NSW Cup players registered with the NSWRL, meaning they were not registered with the ARL and ineligible to take part in the National Premiership.
