Not interested? No worries, ARU tells Collins
October 12, 2000

The Australian Rugby Union will not pursue Justin Collins and have criticised the All Black hopeful's handling of recent negotiations.

The ARU announced on Monday it had signed Collins to a three-year contract, but the Auckland Blues flanker has since declared his preference to play for the All Blacks if picked in one of two upcoming New Zealand tours.

The 26-year-old Collins, who was born in Tasmania but moved to New Zealand 10 years ago, has since said he only used the contract with the ARU as a back-up if he failed to gain selection for the All Blacks or New Zealand A

ARU high performance manager Jeff Miller indicated earlier in the week they would review the contract, as it was wary of signing someone not committed to playing for the Wallabies. Chief executive John O'Neill has now confirmed the ARU will not pursue Collins and will ensure in future that no player can sign for one country, but still play for another.

O'Neill was surprised that Collins used agents in both New Zealand and Australia.

"We won't be pursuing him," O'Neill said. "It's unfortunate because we genuinely believed that with the new contract the dual eligibility was discussed in full with him.

"If he allows himself to be selected (for New Zealand), that's his choice. Players can't be duplicitous when they sign a contract.

"We have to make sure people don't rort the system. Players have to understand contracts are like any other employment contracts. You just can't walk away."

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