Union acts to plug transfer loophole

By WYNNE GRAY

The New Zealand Rugby Union wants to amend its transfer rules to stop players such as Mark Robinson from using a loophole in the system - after telling them it was valid.

At the 11th hour, after those transferring did so under the rules, the NZRFU decided to tweak the regulations again.

Under this year's original deal, players wanting to shift unions so they could also have a shot at a different Super 12 side had to lodge their provincial transfer by Tuesday this week.

There is a further period at the end of November when players can transfer provinces for next year's NPC without it affecting their Super 12 status when teams are picked this month.

After learning that Byron Kelleher was moving to Auckland, and surmising that he would be battling for his Blues spot again, halfback Robinson decided to shift.

He had to shoot for a province which was part of a Super 12 franchise with the leanest halfback resources.

The obvious target was Otago, and he would then take his chance of getting picked for the Highlanders.

Robinson's problem was that he did not want to abandon North Harbour, the NPC side he captains this season.

The solutions were to seek a draft dispensation - an idea the Blues disliked because it reduced their strength - or use the twin-transfer chance unwittingly offered by the NZRFU.

Robinson transferred to Otago on Tuesday, taking his chance that he would be picked for the Highlanders and then, in late November, transfer back to Harbour for next season. Neat, permissible, all parties satisfied.

It is understood the NZRFU agreed there was a loophole in the double contract system, and at that stage it indicated it would not close it.

Until Tuesday. Just hours before the opening transfer deadline, all provincial unions were sent an urgent memo.

It warned against the double transfer operation and said if a player never intended to move for next year's NPC, then the application would be treated as a sham.

It could force the NZRFU to delay naming the Super 12 squads if it felt some provincial switches had been made purely to gain Super 12 selection.

However, in asking for cooperation at an outrageously late stage, the NZRFU wants to change the rules it introduced. Those were:

* That for the Super 12 squad selections for next year, players would be judged to represent provinces where they were registered and where they had transferred by Tuesday.

* In framing the boundaries for the transfer market, the NZRFU said it would remain open after the final selection and announcement of the Super 12 squads for next year in mid-November.

Those groups are likely to be revealed in mid-November.