The top two sides in the NZRL National Premiership standings have both been ruled out of today's competition final after both clubs 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 arguments from both Counties and Akarana, over who had the right to take on the Bulls in the premiership decider, however both clubs had competition points deducted to see the fourth-ranked Wai-Coa-Bay elevated to fill the vacant spot in the final.
"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 zones ultimately select the teams, they have to make sure that they're eligible. It's regrettable but we've got to stand by the integrity of the competition."