League: Fien selection under scrutiny

New Zealand Rugby League officials appear to have blatantly twisted the International Rugby League Federation's constitution by selecting Australian-born Nathan Fien in the Kiwis test team.

NZRL Chairman Sel Bennett says Fien has been selected on the back of his Wanganui-born great grandmother. The rules say a players' parents or grandparents' birth country make him eligible for a side. Bennett has interpreted that as including great grandparents.

Having looked over the constitution, Sports Lawyer Wally Bain said legally that simply does not work. Bain said parents and grandparents are specific terms - any other relatives have been left out so do not count for eligibility.

Wally Bain said what the NZRL has done is nonsense.

Australian Rugby League Chief Executive Geoff Carr agreed. Carr said from where he sits it appears Fien should not be playing for the Kiwis. He said under the rules, a player can qualify by heritage or residency and Fien does not appear to have done either.

- NEWSTALK ZB