Scott Carter explains updated international eligibility criteria for Rugby League
While talking to reporters after the Gillette Four Nations Final on November 19, Rugby League International Football (RFIL) chairman, Scott Carter, explained that they have improved on the existing international eligibility criteria by clarifying the rules.
Expressing his views about the latest happening within RFIL quarters, Carter said, "In constructive discussions we managed to make some progress in clarifying player eligibility and ensuring that players that play for one country in qualifying for a tournament
can't then play for another country in the finals. We also reached an agreement on an improved process for national teams to prove player eligibility and resolve disputes."
This upgrade has been made to avoid cases such as Tony Williams and Akuila Uate’s, who played for Australia in the Four Nations after playing for Tonga and Fiji respectively in the 2008 World Cup.
It was shared by RLIF that they have also signed up for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, in order to avoid cheating on games through drug usage.
He further added that, the individual nations have already agreed to WADA code and the formal contract from RLIF will add to the world wide consistency on this matter.
England is still on the third spot with 799.47 points in the world rankings after their Gillette Four Nations Final defeat against Australia, at Elland Road, Leeds. Series favourites’, Australia, maintained their top spot within the rankings, with a total
of points 1,406.59 points to their credit. Last year’s world champions, New Zealand still booked the second spot with 991.56, 3 points, despite losing 28-6 to England during the sudden-death encounter of the Four Nations series.
England, who had started off at third position, observed no drop or rise within the official listing. Wales was the fourth team which had made its debut in the Four Nations. Otherwise, they had failed to exhibit a commendable performance but their ranking
within the official listing definitely improved with their participation in the series.
They have moved up to sixth spot with Wales 245.16 points with France on fifth with a total of 246.08, 6 points to their credit. Wales is now only 15 points away from the fourth spot, which is taken up by Papua New Guinea, according to the latest ranking
released.
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