Kennedy Could Be First Of Many To Join Rebels

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31248, 21 December 1966, Page 19

Kennedy Could Be First Of Many To Join Rebels

'JHE signing of the New Zealand Rugby League utility back, G. M. Kennedy (West Coast), by one of the “rebel” Murrumbidgee Rugby League clubs in Australia should serve as a warning to the code’s administrators in this country. The rebel group of eight clubs has been banned by the Australian Rugby League and thus does not come under the international transfer agreement. Australia’s agreement with New Zealand not to approach players who have not represented their country for six years means nothing to the breakaway group. The new league has sufficient wealth to sign most of New Zealand’s leading players. Already G. R. Bailey (Auckland), the 1961 Kiwi centre, has stated that he will defy the international agreement and join one of the rebel clubs. M. Sullivan, the former British international, played one season with Junee and was suspended by his country. The suspension was later lifted when Sullivan pleaded ignorance of the ban on the rebel dubs.

But the same excuse would not apply to the 1966 British tourist, G. Shelton, who has sent terms for consideration by the Wagga Rugby League. The rebel movement came to a head when the eight clubs broke away from the New South Wales Country Rugby League to formwthe Murrumbidgee League after

disputes over the extensive travelling to some matches. Attempts 'by the Australian and New South Wales Rugby League chairman (Mr W. G. Buckley) to mediate failed. He was quoted as having warned the rebels about approaching New Zealand players.

At the time the Junee club was negotiating with the 1959-65 Kiwi scrum-half, W. L. Snowden (Auckland). Snowden finally broke off negotiations because of business commitments in Auckland and the fear that the rebel league would collapse.

The Wagga club president (Mr A. Dixon) was quoted in April as saying that “New Zealand internationals will come across the Tasman in droves. They get no money in New Zealand and no clearances to play in Australia. We do not have to pay transfer fees and thus will be able to pay these players really big money for three-year contracts.” At present the split has come to a stalemate. Neither side is prepared to back down: the rebels are confident the ban will be lifted and the clubs allowed to continue with their own league; the New South Wales Rugby League is unlikely to do this while the rebels advertise for players by stating that no signingon fees will be paid to clubs, but to the players themselves.

Normally when a player transfers from one club to

another In Australia the club from which he transfers is paid a fee for the loss of his services. The rebels, being outside the jurisdiction of the Australian Rugby League, do not pay transfer fees. The Kennedy case will probably come under discussion at the next New Zealand council meeting. It is the policy of the council not to allow players to return from Australia and resume first-class football in New Zealand. This was invoked when C. A. Eastlake returned from Australia to represent Auckland against France in 1964, thus emphasising the loss New Zealand already suffers in spite of the sixyear clause.

If the council follows its Australian counter-part and bans any New Zealand players who join the rebels Kennedy would not be able to join a club upon his return.

Yet, even a complete ban on players joining the rebels would probably not be an exceptionally strong deterrent While the rebels can offer Kiwis outsize signing fees, match bonuses, accommodation and air fares, New Zealand amateurs can hardly be blamed for accepting.

Just as Shelton was approached while he was in Australia with Great Britain last year, rebel officials are sure to.be on the lookout for talent when the Kiwis tour next season.