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2024 Guinness Six Nations
[2019 Six Nations] England vs Italy (09/03/2019)
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<blockquote data-quote="spartan32" data-source="post: 936473" data-attributes="member: 72322"><p>As for the "foreign" players discussion. I think what matters is where a player calls home. Big Joe, the Vunipolas, as an example, have been here for all their lives. They Schooled here, have friends and Family here, are raising their families here, learnt to play the game here. Where they were born is irrelevant because this is where their heart clearly lays. </p><p></p><p>I understand the issue with Shields, even though his parents are English he was raised in NZ, all his ties are there, and I'd imagine he always dreamt of playing for the All Blacks. When that was never going to happen he took the only chance he was going to get to play international rugby. Arguably more "English" than some, but also arguably less emotionally invested. Much like Burgess. Full blooded Englishman, who's heart now belongs to Australia, and he probably would have played better for them than he ever did us. </p><p></p><p>For me it doesn't matter where you're from, what matters is whether or not the country you play for is the place that you really call home, in the truest sense of the word. Are you truly invested in that place and all it stands for. When the anthem plays does it stir your heart, like a weeping Argentinian? Because that's the sort of person I want representing my colours, and beyond that little else matters.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="spartan32, post: 936473, member: 72322"] As for the “foreign” players discussion. I think what matters is where a player calls home. Big Joe, the Vunipolas, as an example, have been here for all their lives. They Schooled here, have friends and Family here, are raising their families here, learnt to play the game here. Where they were born is irrelevant because this is where their heart clearly lays. I understand the issue with Shields, even though his parents are English he was raised in NZ, all his ties are there, and I’d imagine he always dreamt of playing for the All Blacks. When that was never going to happen he took the only chance he was going to get to play international rugby. Arguably more “English” than some, but also arguably less emotionally invested. Much like Burgess. Full blooded Englishman, who’s heart now belongs to Australia, and he probably would have played better for them than he ever did us. For me it doesn’t matter where you’re from, what matters is whether or not the country you play for is the place that you really call home, in the truest sense of the word. Are you truly invested in that place and all it stands for. When the anthem plays does it stir your heart, like a weeping Argentinian? Because that’s the sort of person I want representing my colours, and beyond that little else matters. [/QUOTE]
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2024 Guinness Six Nations
[2019 Six Nations] England vs Italy (09/03/2019)
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