Judiciary decision could change table

The New Zealand Rugby judiciary may decide today whether East Coast lock Everard Reid was illegally registered.

The Wanganui Rugby Union has a vested interest in the outcome of a hearing in Wellington today to determine whether the East Coast Heartland team is in breach of player rules.

East Coast has been alleged to have fielded a player illegally in the first two matches of the Heartland series this year.

The Chronicle understands both Poverty Bay and Horowhenua Kapiti have alleged because East Coast lock Everard Reid had played club rugby in Hawke's Bay this season he should have been named as a loan player for East Coast Heartland duties - but apparently was not. East Coast only beat Horowhenua Kapiti by one point when they met in this season's competition.

A hearing to determine if a breach had occurred was due to be held in Wellington today and the result of any judicial decision may have an impact on the current Heartland Championship standings.

Last year South Canterbury lost two bonus points, was fined $4500 and missed a semifinals spot in the Meads Cup competition after being found guilty of a player breach. South Canterbury fielded an overseas player, but had him registered as a local player.

However, should a judicial decision go against East Coast today the penalties, if any, are unclear.

The judiciary could decided to takes points and/or fine East Coast, or conversely it could award points to Poverty Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, or both.

East Coast languishes in the bottom half of the points table after three matches. It has five points with only Poverty Bay behind it on no points.

Wanganui has six points as does South Canterbury, North Otago, Horowhenua Kapiti and Buller.

If there was to be penalties meted out to East Coast and points were given to the aggrieved teams, particularly Horowhenua Kapiti, it would make the road to the semifinals more difficult for Steelform Wanganui which has only won one match this season.

East Coast are the current titleholders of the Meads Cup competition after beating Wanganui in last year's controversial final.

Wanganui Rugby Union chief executive Dale Cobb said he was aware something was afoot, he had no official confirmation charges had been laid.

"We've only heard second and third hand something may be happening, but we've had nothing official," Cobb said yesterday.

Steelform Wanganui is set to play Poverty Bay in Gisborne on Saturday.