League: Fien dispute has many precedents

The current row surrounding Nathan Fien playing for the Kiwis is far from the first case of a player's nationality coming under question, in the sport of rugby league.

Some classic examples include:

* Big Willie Mason himself

Auckland-born Mason represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup, running out alongside current Kangaroos teammate Brent Kite, yet some six years later has racked up 19 tests for Australia.

* Antonio Kaufusi

Melbourne Storm prop Kaufusi, called into the Kangaroos squad this week to replace Reni Maitua, lived in New Zealand until he was a teenager but said he was desperate to play State of Origin for Queensland -- oh, and also represent the Kangaroos.

* Karmichael Hunt

It's a similar story with fullback Hunt -- born and bred in Auckland yet longing to play Origin football.

* Reni Maitua

It was also revealed in the lead-up to this year's Tri-Nations opener that New Zealand, seemingly allowed to call anyone from anywhere in the South Pacific a Kiwi, had inquired whether Maitua or Anthony Tupou would be interested in donning the black and white.

Maitua, whose father is from Western Samoa, said the closest he came to being a Kiwi had been a few trips to Auckland.

"I was born in Paddington Hospital so I consider myself Australian ... dad lived there for about 20 years -- that's about as New Zealand as I get," Maitua said

"(I've) never lived there, (I've) been there a couple of times and didn't really like it to be honest."

Two cases really take the cake, however, and both involve Brisbane Broncos players.

* Tonie Carroll and Brad Thorn

Carroll, originally named in this Kangaroos squad squad before withdrawing due to a knee injury, made his Origin debut for Queensland in 1998 before playing five tests for New Zealand in 2001-03.

Not content with making the switch once, Carroll jumped ship again to play for the Kangaroos in 2004.

Thorn went one better.

He started his international career playing test football for the Kangaroos.

Thorn then swapped codes and passports to play test rugby with the All Blacks before returning 'home' to play for Queensland in last year's Origin series.

But Fien is as Kiwi as they come, according to coach Brian McClennan.

"He really wants to be a Kiwi and just having him in camp, you ask any member of our squad, they'll tell you this bloke's genuine and we're looking forward to going out and playing alongside him in this test match," McClennan said.

"I think what's happened is he's been at the Warriors and been involved with the Kiwi boys at the Warriors and living in Auckland.

"He enjoys the company of the players and enjoys the type of culture so much that he wants to become a Kiwi."

As for the true test of whether he was a Kiwi or not, New Zealand skipper Ruben Wiki said Fien had passed the challenge.

"Yeah he has, he's got it down pat," Wiki said in reference to Fien's ability to perform the haka.

"It's not about the actions it's how you express yourself and that's all you have to do and I think he's done it a few times and he's come up trumps."

Over to you Mr Mason.

- AAP