New Zealand face Sevens ban

Defending champs field ineligible players

Defending champions New Zealand face a heavy fine or possible expulsion from the 2003/04 International Rugby Board's (IRB) Sevens after they fielded two players who had previously played for Samoa - making them ineligible to represent NZ.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) was checking up on the status of Kevin Senio and Sosene Anesi after the two players played for the New Zealand Sevens side in the Singapore leg of the series last weekend.

The two players previously played for Samoa at the Hong Kong Sevens in March 2000.

The IRB has strict ruled pertaining to players representing only one country during their career - a ruling made in an effort to keep the wealthier Unions from poaching talent from the 'smaller' Unions.

Unions who breach the rule risk a 100,000 pounds (US$183,745) mandatory fine for each case of fielding an ineligible player, plus possible suspension from IRB competitions.

If a ban were imposed on the New Zealand Sevens side it would be a disaster for the squad who are currently leading the '03/04 series.

The IRB would be hard-pressed to impose the full extent of the ruling, however, after Russia were disqualified from the 2003 Rugby World Cup because they fielded three ineligible South African players.

Failure to use the full extent of the law on New Zealand would undoubtedly fuel the debate made by 'smaller' Unions that the IRB favours the more prominent and wealthier Unions.

A spokesman for the NZRU was not prepared to comment on the two Samoans in the Sevens side but claimed the two had an IRB dispensation to play for New Zealand.

Ironically the issue comes just a day after the 16-nation Pacific Forum summit that has made a political issue of the way in which Australia and New Zealand plunder Pacific Island rugby talent.

The Forum is discussing ways with the IRB in which Pacific players can switch nationality when the dominant Union, such as Australia or New Zealand, does not need them.

Meanwhile, a senior rugby official reportedly revealed that there was no way possible for the NZRU to claim any dispensation for the two players.

"It is impossible because the IRB tightened up the rules before they [Anesi and Senio] played for Samoa," he said. "Now they're playing for New Zealand."