But after a meeting of clubs earlier this month, North Otago chief executive Colin Jackson believes all clubs are now aware of their responsibilities, especially at the beginning of the season.
While the issue involved only four players, there was a certain build-up of heat between some clubs regarding the movement of players between clubs.
Jackson said it was straightforward.
"When a player comes into the union boundaries, he must register with a club of his choice, and that club then must register that player with the rugby union," he said.
"This is an important step, as that player then goes on the NZRFU database as a registered player, especially if he suffers serious injury while playing the game.
"Ten years ago we introduced a system where there had to be a gentleman's agreement whereby the two clubs involved sat down and discussed the transfer with the player involved but that has dissipated.
"To change clubs, a player must prove to the union that he is a financial member of the club and he wants to leave.
Clubs had been working well up until this season when there more than a dozen unregistered playing in the first round of games, Jackson said.
At the beginning of each season all new registrations have to be in its hands by 5pm on February 15.
After that date the two clubs involved must agree for the transfer to be accepted.
In too many cases, clubs had laid the problem at the feet of the North Otago union, especially where a player had been found employment by the club and/or had not paid a sub, he said
"The NORFU is not a debt collector. If the club cannot or has not been able to collect the subscription from the player involved, that's not the union's problem. Surely it's up to the clubs to indicate to players the importance of registering with the union to protect themselves and families by getting on that NZRFU data register."
In this weekend's fourth round, Old Boys and Maheno, both unbeaten, will play at the Maheno Domain tonight under lights.
Athletic Marist plays Kurow on Whitestone Contracting Stadium No1 ground and Excelsior plays Valley on Whitestone Contracting Stadium No2 ground.
- Terry O'Neill