KEY POINTS:
The words Nathan and Fien have officially been expunged from the Kiwis' rugby league vocabulary after media were warned not to broach the ineligibility saga in the lead up to the Tri-Nations test against Great Britain here on Saturday.
After fending off inquiries following Fien's axing from the squad last Thursday when he was found to be ineligible for selection under the grandparent criteria, the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) has sought to put an end to the debate.
Clearly frustrated by the distractions associated with Fien's departure -- and the costly concession of two points following his role in the voided win over Great Britain -- Kiwis coach Brian McClennan and his players have been muzzled by the NZRL.
A media advisory issued last night warned that team and management would not make any comment on issues relating to the selection or non-eligibility of Fien.
The Australian-born former Queensland State of Origin representative is now back in his native Mt Isa while another central figure to the drama, former NZRL chairman Selwyn Bennett, is also on the outer after resigning from the position last Friday night.
After his resignation was tendered and accepted by the NZRL board he claimed McClennan was also party to the decision to select Fien although he did not meet the criteria for selection under the grandparent rule.
As the Kiwis established their training base in Lower Hutt today, a frustrated McClennan reiterated he could not comment on his role in the saga which has cast a pall over the game -- and all but ruined the Kiwis' chances of retaining their title.
McClennan rebuffed Fien-related questions, conceding he was in an awkward predicament but had no choice.
"They're my employers (the NZRL), I'm a coach. I've been told to stick to coaching," he said.
McClennan, the toast of the nation after the Kiwis beat Australia 24-0 in the Tri-Nations final 12 months ago, admitted he was in an awkward predicament.
But he would not respond to Bennett's allegations, nor a call from former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe for him to stand down if he was aware of Fien's ineligibility before naming him in the team.
"I've been told not to comment on those issues," he said.
"We're here to play footy - and this is the biggest game of our lives."
- NZPA
