Hot on the heels of player eligibility rows that have seen Tahiti disqualified from World Cup qualification and both Romania and Belgium under investigation, a new case had come to light involving a member of the World Champion New Zealand team. The All Blacks have often been accused of poaching overseas players and the legitimacy of one player’s eligibility is now being challenged from outside sources.
Just two weeks ago World Rugby disqualified Tahiti from World Cup qualification after fielding two ineligible players against the Cook Islands. The most damning section of the judicial decision reads as follows:
“23. In relation to the Union, Regulation 2.1.2 provides each Union is responsible for ensuring compliance with all Regulations Relating to the Game. Accordingly it is the responsibility of each Union to ensure all players it selects are properly eligible within the provisions of Regulation 8; which as mentioned is a strict liability offence. Thus, as the Regulation clearly states, it is not necessary for fault or intent be shown on the part of the Union.”
World Rugby’s integrity has never been so threatened. Having already tossed out Tahiti, they must now arbitrate the referee appointment for the Belgium vs Spain match, the subsequent post-game behavior by the Spanish players, Belgium’s use of an ineligible player against Germany, a potentially disastrous error by Romania, and now the alleged ineligibility of a New Zealand player. As ever the rugby world awaits each decision with bated breath
Damian McKenzie is the player in question. The Chiefs utility back first came to prominence at the 2014 World Junior Championships and debuted for the All Blacks against Argentina two years later. He has since gone on to represent New Zealand 12 times in total, scoring 25 points.
While it was first thought that he had been born in Invercargill, a mysterious source within the Ecuadorian Embassy in London has revealed that he may have been brought to New Zealand illegally by his parents, whose real names are reported to be Nikolay and Natasha Mickailzi, both suspected agents in the service of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Aerdern is now keen to have the entire family expelled, in order to help British leader Theresa May smokescreen her political failings and complicity in Middle Eastern war crimes with anti-Russian propaganda.
The facts as they stand strongly suggest that Damian Mickailzi was not eligible to represent New Zealand and remains ineligible to represent the All Blacks given that he is an illegal immigrant and not a legitimate citizen of that country.
Unless a satisfactory explanation is given this would appear to be a very unfortunate and hugely problematic issue for New Zealand officials. The All Blacks team would almost certainly face a ban from international competition, which might even see them disqualified from next year's World Cup in Japan.