Waikato to learn their fate today

By CHRIS RATTUE

Waikato find out today if their title ambitions will be squashed by the player eligibility row which has become the bane of the NPC.

With Super 12 contracts and All Black places at stake, the New Zealand Rugby Union inquiry could also have huge ramifications for some Waikato players.

The NZRFU-appointed lawyer Chris Morris, of Auckland, will by 4pm release findings into alleged breaches by Waikato, Southland and third division King Country.

Attention will centre on first division heavyweights Waikato, currently second, who could lose 10 points for playing loosie Joel McKenty against Southland and Auckland.

The former New Zealand under-16 player needed an international clearance after playing in Ireland.

Waikato are also being investigated for lock Toby Lynn's appearance in the loss to Wellington.

Chief executive Gary Dawson was last night confident of his case, but conceded the row had left the side "anxious".

And after Waikato initially believed the findings might be released yesterday, they were told last night there would be a further wait.

Dawson said: "This could have an impact on the semifinals, so there is some anxiety. We would like it to be sorted as quickly as possible, but maybe he [Morris] has found some complexities, so we just have to be patient.

"I don't want to give the impression there is huge panic, but obviously it must affect the team. They are anxious to know what is going on, as are the public, the union, the sponsors and stakeholders.

"The players have to get on with winning, and stay focused. It's not going to have a negative impact on their performance. This will take care of itself outside of that.

"We don't agree that we've breached the eligibility rules ... we think we've got quite a strong case."

Dawson talked to Morris, but Waikato presented their case by submission. Dawson had been advised not to reveal their arguments before the release of the findings, but said they were based around "legal detail".

There is simmering provincial rugby anger over the eligibility debacle, with particular outrage that tiny Wanganui was fined $5000.

Eleven of the 27 unions have been caught up in the wrangle, with 17 players involved - a damaging situation for the credibility of the national competition.

Apart from a string of fines totalling nearly $26,000, Wanganui and East Coast have had competition points deducted.

And Southland would have suffered that fate had they notched points in round one against Waikato, when they fielded three ineligible players.

Last year, North Harbour lost points for playing South African Chad Alcock. The controversy was reignited when Hawkes Bay - who were later themselves fined - claimed Bay of Plenty's Colin Bourke was ineligible to play in the historic Ranfurly Shield win over Auckland on August 15.

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