New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew admits rogue agents aren't helping Pacific Islands rugby and says his organisation is concerned at the large number of Fijian players populating the French club system.
Tew's comments came in response to Olympic gold medal 7s coach, Ben Ryan labelling the Pacific Islands the "wild west" of rugby and accusing New Zealand, Australia and France of plundering Fijian stocks that threaten their international future.
Tew says that they do have rogue agents however they not only operate in Fiji.
He says everyone is concerned by the incredibly large number of Fijian players that go to France to populate two or three divisions of professional football.
Meanwhile, Fiji sevens Olympic‑winning coach, Ben Ryan earlier said that Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are being stripped of their rugby talent by crooked agents and dodgy back-handers.
He has told the BBC that the lack of licensed agents has turned the Pacific Islands into the "Wild West" and claims players are being lured overseas on false promises.
Ryan now wants significant changes to protect the smaller nations.
Ryan says the game needs fresh ideas to create fair opportunities for the islanders.
He urged World Rugby to act on the issue and laid the blame with reckless agents, mainly from New Zealand and Australia.
Source: stuff.co/BBC
