By HELEN TUNNAH and THERESA GARNER
Pacific leaders have agreed to tackle the New Zealand and Australian rugby unions over rules they say cripple the region's smaller nations.
Sport made it on to the Pacific Islands Forum communique for the first time at the Auckland meeting, leaders saying the International Rugby Board's strict eligibility rules are having an adverse effect on the game in the region.
Samoa have already warned they are so cash-strapped they may have to withdraw from international rugby after this year's World Cup.
They, and nations such as Fiji and Tonga, are struggling under IRB rules which say any Pacific Island player who turns out for another country's national team, A team or Sevens side cannot then play for them.
Transtasman rugby has scores of Pacific Islanders contracted, and most have to declare that their first international loyalty is to New Zealand or risk missing out on lucrative Super 12 or domestic competition contracts.
Pacific Island rugby unions have little money and cannot compete with Australian or New Zealand contracts, and the Pacific Island players - who may send remittances to families in the Islands - cannot afford to turn their backs on contracts.
Deals can also mean players will not be released for international duty other than for the All Blacks or Wallabies.
New Zealand rugby has also been criticised for not playing tests in the Pacific - the All Blacks have never played a test in Manu Samoa.
The agreement of leaders to lobby the ARU and NZRFU followed a plea by former All Black, and Manu Samoa assistant coach, Michael Jones.
Yesterday he joined one of the All Blacks' newest Island stars, Fiji winger Joe Rokocoko, in a meeting with Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
The Manu Samoa coach, New Zealander John Boe, said the pledge from all 16 Pacific Island leaders was very good news.
"It needs people like Helen Clark to get involved. It's a good cause and we need a hand, definitely.
"We want our top players, like Mils Muliaina and Jerry Collins, who were so wonderful last night, to play for the All Blacks. All we want is the next level down. We need young talent."
He told the Herald there was virtually no chance a Pacific Islands player would get a Super 12 or NPC contract if they did not commit to New Zealand ahead of Manu Samoa. There was also a hope that rules might be changed so Pacific Island players no longer wanted by New Zealand could play for a Pacific union.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has said she hopes the IRB will review their rules.
* Prime Minister Helen Clark is not the only politician to enjoy Australian Prime Minister Howard's disgruntlement over the All Blacks' triumph.
Visiting British politician Bill Rammell - in New Zealand for the forum - said it "was great opportunity to go to the Bledisloe Cup".
At his one-on-one with Helen Clark yesterday, Rammell was still in full flight: "I told Helen not to enjoy the victory too long ... it would be a different matter later this year."
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