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New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) executive chairman Selwyn Bennett has resigned over the Nathan Fien "granny gate" debacle.
Bennett told Australian Associated Press of his decision after the Kiwis were stripped of their only two Tri-Nations competition points yesterday and forced to drop Fien from their squad.
The Kiwis had initially claimed Australian-born Fien's grandmother was born in New Zealand, which would have allowed him to switch allegiances, but it was later revealed the birth certificate he provided belonged to his great-grandmother.
The Rugby League International Federation panel that investigated the case found the NZRL was aware the certificate belonged to Fien's great-grandmother, which made him ineligible for selection, but did not disclose the fact.
"I've given my resignation, effective immediately, and taken the blame for it -- over and out," Bennett said.
"I was the one who made the decision. It was my call, my responsibility."
Surprisingly, Bennett said he would do it all again.
"I still believe I was right in what I did. I have no problem with great grandmothers or grandmothers, call them what you like.
"I would do the same again. In hindsight I would probably make the same decision."
Asked whether he thought the "granny-gate" scandal had damaged the game, Bennett said: "I don't think so, it certainly has given the game a lot of profile.
"Everyone knows the game of rugby league is around.
"Put it this way, there's no damage done that I regret."
Bennett said he had already tendered his resignation to the NZRL and that deputy chairman Peter Douglas had taken over the reins until a new leader was decided.
The news comes after a day of mounting criticism over the selection.
Former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe and current selector Darrell Williams both said heads should roll after New Zealand's Tri-Nations victory over Great Britain last month was wiped from the record books.
Lowe said the NZRL needed to be accountable for its decisions.
"Heads should roll. In my view anyone who was compliant in it and anyone who was aware of it and didn't question it (should go)," he told Radio Sport.
"Maybe they thought the eligibility may not have been clear.
"I believe they were prepared to go along with it and got absolutely surprised by the consequences."
New Zealand can still qualify for the Tri-Nations final if they beat Great Britain in Wellington on November 11, providing Australia win both games against Great Britain.
But whether the Kiwis could win that match was now seemingly irrelevant because the series was a "dead duck", Lowe said.
"The main battle that's got to be won now is credibility for the game."
Williams, a member of the New Zealand selection panel with coach Brian McClennan and Daryl Halligan, said he had not been kept in the loop.
He said the NZRL would not knowingly breach the rules.
"So I end up with an egg on my face now that I find out that the New Zealand Rugby League did know about this and played a player who was not eligible.
"That just puts mud in their face, on my face and the game of rugby league in New Zealand," he said.
"If that doesn't show the ineptitude of the current administration then nothing will.
"It's their responsibility, it's their brief, they're paid employees to look after the New Zealand Rugby League and they've just shown that they're incompetent and it doesn't make me happy.
"I'm a passionate rugby league person and to see the game falling apart because of this episode -- I have to put the blame fairly and squarely on the New Zealand Rugby League.
"It pisses me off."
- AAP, NZPA
