Lifting Of League Ban Predicted

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 13

Lifting Of League Ban Predicted

(N.Z. /Press Association— Copyright)

SYDNEY.

A ban on New Zealand Rugby league and union players signing with Australian league clubs is to be lifted, according to a report in the “Sydney Morning Herald.”

A Herald league writer, Rod Humphries, said there was still one important question to be settled before the ban was officially lifted.

“That is a transfer fee system whereby the N.Z.R.L. would receive a fee for any league or union player who transferred to league in another country even though the league has noth-

ing to do with the New Zealand union.

“By this means the N.Z.R.L. hopes to build up its coffers and plough money back into Rugby league to build up its playing strength.” Humphries said an N.Z.R.L. proposal submitted to the Australian Rugby league called for all players, league or union, to be placed in three categories, with a uniform transfer fee on each category. The categories were international players, provincial or zone representatives, and club players. Humphries said the N.Z.R.L. wanted $6OOO for an international, $3OOO for a provincial representative, and $lOOO for a club player, for three-year contracts. “If the buying club wishes to extend the contract past three years, it wants an extra $lOOO a year. “The Australian Rugby League is not in favour of this system and wants each case calculated on the merits of the player involved. This seems a more sensible solution.

“The idea of an extra $lOOO a year after the initial threeyear period is ridiculous—and greedy,” Humphries wrote.

“One thing I can't understand is why the N.Z.R.L. wants tfie league and union fees the same.

“The stated aim is to build up the league’s playing strength. But if the fees are the same for both codes there is no incentive for young players to switch from the prestige code in New Zealand —Rugby union. “Maybe the N.Z.R.L. believes Australian league clubs will undermine Rugby union strength by hitting at club and provincial level ahd taking players before they become internationals.”