David EdwardsTri Nations Suddenly Alive
November 2nd 2006 12:55
Well when an issue arises from the rugby league Tri-Nations competition it does not slip silently into the night. In the first match it was the Willie Mason expletive and the hard hitting match that followed.
From their the referees were being too soft on punishing dangerous throws, the squads were able to get the full training preparation needed, and even the coaches were claiming that come players should be facing up to the tribunal for a number of clashes throughout the matches. It certainly has been a tournament full of controversy.
Now the New Zealand squad have throw yet another spanner into the works, as they are now without any competition points, without hooker Nathan Fein, and if they cannot beat Great Britain in their last game, no chance of defending their championship.
As most rugby league fans are now well aware, the whole Fein saga has blown up on what is being dubbed “granny-gate”. Fein, who is Australian born and in fact played for Queensland in the State of Origin this year, is able to play for New Zealand due to the rule that stipulates that any person can play for the country that their “parents or grandparents are born in”.
Fein claimed that his grandmother was born in New Zealand, and had a birth certificate to prove it. However it was revealed this week that it was in fact not his grandmother, but rather his great-grandmother who was Kiwi-born, and therefore made him ineligible in being selected for the squad.
What this means is that whilst there is an grey area about how far back you can go to represent your nation, Fein did not qualify to represent New Zealand for the past three matches they have played. As Fein did play, punishment had to be served, and justice be dealt.
The Tri-Nations sub-committee ruled that as Fein could not represent the Kiwis, and therefore could not play the rest of the tournament. Furthermore the two points that they won against Great Britain were in fact false, and had to be removed for the squad’s total points.
What this means in plain terms, is that the competition has busted wide open into who will play the finals. With Australia four points clear, it is guaranteed that they will make the finals. However as both New Zealand and Great Britain are on zero points so far, the next three games are vital to see who wins.
The Lions have three games left to play, two against Australia and one against the Kiwis, and therefore have more chance to earn that spot. However New Zealand have a single game to make an impact for the finals, and will not waste any time doing so.
What this means is that the next three games are absolutely vital for all sides. Not only are Great Britain and New Zealand suddenly in a points grab frenzy, but Australia are now in a position to affect who is one of the last sides standing.
If they want Great Britain in the final, all they have to do is lose one game, and possibly two if New Zealand score their win. If they want the Kiwis there, they have to throw everything against the Lions to make sure they cannot make the grade.
Lets just say that the Aussies will definitely be watching the next game against the Kiwis and Lions as they battle for the all important two points next week.
Until next time, sports minds.
From their the referees were being too soft on punishing dangerous throws, the squads were able to get the full training preparation needed, and even the coaches were claiming that come players should be facing up to the tribunal for a number of clashes throughout the matches. It certainly has been a tournament full of controversy.
Now the New Zealand squad have throw yet another spanner into the works, as they are now without any competition points, without hooker Nathan Fein, and if they cannot beat Great Britain in their last game, no chance of defending their championship.
As most rugby league fans are now well aware, the whole Fein saga has blown up on what is being dubbed “granny-gate”. Fein, who is Australian born and in fact played for Queensland in the State of Origin this year, is able to play for New Zealand due to the rule that stipulates that any person can play for the country that their “parents or grandparents are born in”.
Fein claimed that his grandmother was born in New Zealand, and had a birth certificate to prove it. However it was revealed this week that it was in fact not his grandmother, but rather his great-grandmother who was Kiwi-born, and therefore made him ineligible in being selected for the squad.
What this means is that whilst there is an grey area about how far back you can go to represent your nation, Fein did not qualify to represent New Zealand for the past three matches they have played. As Fein did play, punishment had to be served, and justice be dealt.
The Tri-Nations sub-committee ruled that as Fein could not represent the Kiwis, and therefore could not play the rest of the tournament. Furthermore the two points that they won against Great Britain were in fact false, and had to be removed for the squad’s total points.
What this means in plain terms, is that the competition has busted wide open into who will play the finals. With Australia four points clear, it is guaranteed that they will make the finals. However as both New Zealand and Great Britain are on zero points so far, the next three games are vital to see who wins.
The Lions have three games left to play, two against Australia and one against the Kiwis, and therefore have more chance to earn that spot. However New Zealand have a single game to make an impact for the finals, and will not waste any time doing so.
What this means is that the next three games are absolutely vital for all sides. Not only are Great Britain and New Zealand suddenly in a points grab frenzy, but Australia are now in a position to affect who is one of the last sides standing.
If they want Great Britain in the final, all they have to do is lose one game, and possibly two if New Zealand score their win. If they want the Kiwis there, they have to throw everything against the Lions to make sure they cannot make the grade.
Lets just say that the Aussies will definitely be watching the next game against the Kiwis and Lions as they battle for the all important two points next week.
Until next time, sports minds.
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