Corruption blueprint is one to follow

RUGBY: Betting expert Gerard Daffy says the New Zealand Rugby Union has adopted Australia’s corruption blueprint in getting all players and administrators involved in the professional game to sign a pledge against corruption.

The NZRU’s integrity commission’s no betting edict will affect almost 2000 people involved in the professional and semi-professional game, including players, coaches and managers, who have been warned against betting on rugby wherever it is played.

Regulations also stipulate these people cannot get anyone to bet on their behalf; fix or attempt to fix a match, tournament or series, intentionally perform below their best for reward or give, receive, request or offer any reward which could bring the game into disrepute or threaten the integrity of the game.

Daffy, a former leading sports bookmaker now employed by TattsBet said the AFL had pioneered the fight against game fixing and corruption which other sports, including the NRL, had since adopted.

“Australia leads the way and several countries around the world have adopted its betting blueprint to fight corruption,” Daffy told APN.

“The AFL established an arrangement with bookmakers to act as watch dogs and alert them to any suspicious betting activities.

“New Zealand is following the lead and catching up with Australia which is great to see.”

Based on IRB regulations, the maximum possible sanction for prohibited wagering under the NZRU’s new rules is a one-year ban.

For corruption the penalty is a possible life ban from all involvement in the game and a possible prison term.

NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said it was vital to protect the integrity of rugby.