Two NZ Warriors players will not be allowed to return to New Zealand after the NRL season.
Of Tongan and Fijian heritage respectively, neither Eliesa Katoa and Selestino Ravutaumada are New Zealand citizens, despite having resided in the country for several years.
in May, both were granted exemptions by Australian border authorities to travel with the squad to their base for the resumption of their 2020 campaign.
But the NZ Government has since informed the club that neither will be allowed to re-enter the country when their season ends at the end of September, due to COVID-19 restrictions which prevent non-NZ citizens from entering the country.
One of the Warriors' best players this season, Katoa came to New Zealand three years ago on a scholarship from Auckland's Tamaki College, while Ravutaumada has lived there for just over four years.
Ravutaumada has even represented the country, playing for the NZ Secondary School team and the Junior Kiwis. A shoulder injury has prevented him making his first-grade debut for the Warriors.
"We've been advised that they won’t be permitted entry back into the country due to their status, which is devastating for us to hear," Warriors chief executive Cam George tells Stuff.
"The kids have been schooling here for a number of years, contributing to the economy in many different ways, have had the credentials and authorisation to live in New Zealand with their visas and they’re over there representing our country in the NRL.
"But what are we going to do with them now? They’ve got no family in Australia and it’s just another major bump in our road for 2020."
George intends hosting both players at his family home in Australia, but will continue to work towards a solution.
"They've got the appropriate visas to be in NZ, they've got everything that you need to live in NZ and it’s easily demonstrated that they’re residents here, because they’ve been here for years and gone to school here.
"Yet our border officials say they’re not New Zealand residents. I know by definition they need to be citizens, but three months ago they were all of the above.
"So what are we going to do? Drop them off and leave them on the shores of Australia?
"I call on the New Zealand government to review and reconsider this."
