National Basketball League side Wellington Saints "taped over the official NBL logo" on its uniform during its game against Canterbury Rames, "as a protest against the official league ruling which changed the status of Saints forward Josh Duinker from a local player to an import," according to the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. It is a move which "follows Sonny Bill Williams' decision to tape over the BNZ logo" on his Super Rugby side Blues jersey last week. Duinker, who was born in Australia and played int'l basketball for the Netherlands, played the '15 season with the Nelson Giants "as a local due to his Kiwi mother and Kiwi passport," and was initially signed by the Saints to play as a "naturalised local player." However, a ruling last week "changed his status to an import after the NBL adjudged that anyone ineligible to play for the Tall Blacks can not play as a local in the league, meaning Duinker's Netherlands appearances disqualified him from appearing as a local." Saints coach Kevin Braswell said that the team's protest "could be more than a one-off stand." He said, "We might do it the rest of the year, I don't know, it is just more of a frustration with the Josh Duinker rule. It's frustrating to have a guy here who is a natural Kiwi, not even being able to play as a Kiwi, it just blows my mind" (NZ HERALD, 4/17). STUFF's Liam Hyslop reported the NBL rules state any player who is unable to represent New Zealand must be classed as a "restricted" (import) player. Duinker played for the Netherlands in '13, "which means under FIBA rules he could not play for the Tall Blacks." Duinker's teammate Leon Henry said that taping over the logo was about showing Duinker "they were behind him no matter what." Henry said, "It's crazy because he carries a New Zealand passport, so for him to be classed as an import is really upsetting for us as a group" (STUFF, 4/17).
