The New Zealand Rugby Union has denied claims by Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne that players contracted under NZ-based rugby teams cannot play for the Flying Fijians due to clauses in their contract requiring players to remain eligible for the All Blacks, limiting their ability to play for Pacific Island nations.
NZRU says professional rugby players contracted to New Zealand-based Super Rugby clubs are free to choose which national team they wish to represent.
While speaking on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan, Byrne raised concerns that two Highlanders players - Jona Nareki and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens - had expressed interest in playing for Fiji, but their contracts are stopping them from doing so.
He says New Zealand can pick players from four or five different countries.
A NZRU spokesperson says NZ Rugby could not comment on individual players, but they were clear on what it can do, including offering contracts to up to three players who may not opt to play for New Zealand.
The spokesperson says New Zealand Rugby's five Super Rugby Pacific clubs have the ability to contract up to three 'non-New Zealand eligible players' who have already played internationally, including for Pacific Island nations Samoa, Tonga or Fiji or who have declared their intent to play internationally for a non-New Zealand national team at international level and therefore not make themselves eligible for New Zealand teams.
The spokesperson further says players contracted in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC (National Provincial Championship) also have the freedom to choose which country they represent within World Rugby's international eligibility regulations and as with Super Rugby Pacific provides for players previously internationally capped to continue to take part in the competition.
NZRU says Pasifika players are very well represented in both professional and community rugby, with 36 percent of players contracted to the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens and 38 percent of players contracted to the All Blacks and All Blacks Sevens identifying as Pasifika.
They say player contracts are discussed between the player, their agent and the union they are being contracted to.
[Highlanders’ outside backs Jona Nareki and Jacob Kneepkens-Ratumaitavuki ( Source : Getty Images )
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They add that it is up to the individual players and their agents to negotiate their contracts.
NZRU says they do not discuss individual contract details, but players have the freedom to choose what national union pathway they wish to pursue throughout their careers and make contracting decisions accordingly.
They say previously Pasifika heritage players were able to play for their countries eventhough they were contracted to Super Rugby teams, with the likes of Fijians such as Marika Vunibaka, Nemani Nadolo, Aisea Tuilevu, and Rupeni Caucau.
NZ Rugby says it was still doing the same with current or previously capped players playing in this year's competition.
[Source: RNZ]
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