Rugby: NZ flanker quizzed on Welsh eligibility

By WYNNE GRAY and CATHERINE MASTERS

International rugby authorities have started to sidestep as questions escalate about whether New Zealand flanker Brett Sinkinson's ancestry allows him to play for his adopted country, Wales.

While Welsh rugby officials have launched their own inquiry after newspaper allegations about Sinkinson's background, the International Rugby Board was much more reticent about their involvement.

"The IRB requires a union to do the proper checks and make a diligent search," said Welshman Vernon Pugh, who also chairs the IRB.

"What sanctions, if any in this case, can be taken, one would not wish to foreshadow."

After former Auckland coach Graham Henry took over as coach of Wales, he drafted both Sinkinson and fellow New Zealander Shane Howarth into his squad. Henry was not taking calls on the ruckus yesterday.

Doubts about Sinkinson's qualifications to play for Wales were raised by the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, which also reported some intrigue about the eligibility of Howarth. Sinkinson has played 14 times for Wales as a flanker but is injured and unavailable for this weekend's game against Scotland.

IRB rules state that a player, his parent or a grandparent must have been born in the country he wished to represent.

Both Sinkinson and Howarth claimed they qualified for Wales through grandparents, but the Telegraph reported that Sinkinson's sole British grandparent was born in Lancashire.

Confronted by the allegation, Sinkinson referred the newspaper to his father, who was in Europe on holiday and to watch his son play in the Six Nations.

"My father's got all the details. I'm not quite sure," he said. Asked what checks the WRU had made he replied: "They did find out my grandfather was from Camarthen way. I hardly knew him. I'm not sure what the story is."

There was a similar lack of information from relations in Whakatane, who said Sinkinson's parents were on a Contiki trip in Europe and they knew no more than that.

While the Telegraph reported their doubts about Howarth, the former Auckland and All Black fullback was adamant he was clear to continue his Welsh career.

"I have nothing to hide," said Howarth. "My grandfather was born in Cardiff and that is my Welsh qualification. I also qualify to play for England because my other grandfather is from Accrington."

"I could understand people asking me before but it is 19 tests down the line now," he said.

Howarth's father, Kevin, did not want to discuss the issue, though he confirmed his son's explanation.

The Telegraph suggested the uncertainty about Howarth's background arose because the newspaper could not find any record of the birth of his Maori mother.

The latest shock to hit Welsh rugby has forced the union to examine the credentials of all those who want to play for Wales, including former North Harbour wing Matt Cardey, who could make his debut this weekend.

Welsh team manager David Pickering said: "The WRU have always adhered to the International Rugby Board regulations regarding eligibility of players for international teams and have taken in good faith the evidence and word of those players who wish to make themselves available to Wales via the parental or grandparental work."