Smaller unions take issue with eligibility rules

By CHRIS RATTUE

Counties Manukau believe the New Zealand Rugby Union may be treading on human rights issues over its new NPC rules.

The new regulations aim to strengthen the base of All Black-eligible players. They include limiting each team to just two players who are not eligible to play for New Zealand. There is a two-year period of grace for players already contracted.

The rules also limit each NPC side to a maximum of six players who were not playing club rugby within that province by May 1.

The NZRFU memo states the new rules mean that players should "consider carefully before playing for another country, if they are keen to play in the NPC."

"However, it does allow enough flexibility so that up to 54 players not eligible for New Zealand are able to play in the NPC during any one season. We believe that is a significant concession."

Counties Manukau chief executive Daniel Clifford said the NZRFU had already watered down its original proposal by allowing players already contracted to be exempt from the limit until the end of next year.

Clifford said his union would continue to lobby for the rules to be relaxed, and that the national body had been more than willing to discuss the issues.

"And I certainly think this issue is a long way from over," Clifford said.

"We are talking about some fairly basic human rights here. We might just look at things from a rugby view, but there are wider principles.

"I think we will be particularly affected because of our strong Polynesian population.

"And you might well be denying players their rights. We've got players here who were born in New Zealand, but through their heritage have the right to play for Pacific Island countries.

"They have a right to ply their trade in their country of birth, but this rule is making them choose between that and representing their country. This is really going to affect the Pacific Island countries."

Clifford said Counties Manukau were aware they needed to balance the needs of their union against the wider rugby interests in this country.

Of their 40-man training squad, nine were categorised as not eligible to play for New Zealand.

Northland coach Bryce Woodward said he was "not violently opposed" to the new rules, but did have some concerns.

He was worried what effect the limits would have on the development of Pacific Island rugby and believed that once again the smaller unions would suffer.

Woodward said that to avoid paying transfer fees it could not afford, Northland sometimes got players from overseas to fill positions where they were weak, or where the import was clearly better than any local.

While their Fijian lock Vula Maimuri is a New Zealand eligible player, Northland also have wings Fero Lasagavibau and Rupeni Caucaunibuca who will take up their quota limit after next year.

Woodward said limiting the number of imports from other provinces to six was fairly generous, but unions such as Northland often had to rely on many so-called imports, some of whom had strong Northland links but who lived in Auckland for employment.

"If we don't offer Pacific Island players the opportunity to be here then they will go offshore, to Europe," Woodward said.

"This rule doesn't help them and it doesn't help us. Look at the pleasure someone like Rupeni has brought to New Zealand rugby.

"I can understand why the NZRFU wants to do it. They want to keep the New Zealand team strong and I have sympathy with that.

"These rules always hurt the smaller unions. The big unions can identify players they need, make them an offer they can't refuse and pay the transfer fee. We have bought only one player in the time I've been here."