IRB rule against Pacific Islander's switch

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm sure Haymans wage was so high because of sponsorship, not because of a high wage. Obviously it would've been Newcastle saying "If you come to us we'll sort it so you make X amount from Adidas" or whoever, but it's not the Clubs paying out the massive amounts

 

[dullonien]

Having a further think about the initial proposal which was turned down. If this was enforced, could there have been a possibility of making things much, much worse. If they were allowed to change allegiences if they wished, islander players might have chanced their luck getting into the AB's, because if things didn't go their way, and they only got 1-2 caps, then hey so what, they could always switch nationality and play for their country of birth/herritage. Under current rules, they have a tough decision to make, as if things don't go their way (ala Laulala etc.), then they are stuck with their decision for life. Hopefully then they made the decision to play for NZ for the right reasons, not for the fame and being part of a winning team.

 

[smartcooky]

Ever been to the South of France?

Yep. Spent three months at Cazaux Air Base near Bordeaux in the 1980's. It was November to January and it was perishing cold and miserable wet.

 

[Teh Mite]

Well that's the depths of winter for you. The rest of the year however...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

cooky, you do know that in the Northern Hemisphere it's winter from December till February right?

 

[markshaw]

That makes your post even crazier, I should've read it properly haha. I'ma Cook Island Maori from NZ. I'm not from no-where now am I. I can't still be narrow minded...

I cant even remember if I was talking to you or someone else

 

[gingergenius]

Having a further think about the initial proposal which was turned down. If this was enforced, could there have been a possibility of making things much, much worse. If they were allowed to change allegiences if they wished, islander players might have chanced their luck getting into the AB's, because if things didn't go their way, and they only got 1-2 caps, then hey so what, they could always switch nationality and play for their country of birth/herritage. Under current rules, they have a tough decision to make, as if things don't go their way (ala Laulala etc.), then they are stuck with their decision for life. Hopefully then they made the decision to play for NZ for the right reasons, not for the fame and being part of a winning team.

interesting point. were this law to be enforced, the next nalaga/ qera/ mapusua could easily hold out longer to try to make a tier one side when they could be putting in the good work for their island nation.

 

[smartcooky]

Well that's the depths of winter for you. The rest of the year however...

Yep fair enough, but remember that originally, Hayman went to Newcastle and, and Evans to London. You can't me tell is its "right tropical" during the rugby season in these places. I spent six months at RAF Sealand (near Chester). I never could quite get used to the idea of walking to work at 8am in the freezing cold and pitch black, then walking back to my digs again at 4:30pm... in the freezing cold and pitch black.

Anyhow, as I said, I don't think the weather is what drags the players up north. It would most likely some combination of the money and the lifestyle, and possibly, the getting out from under the microscope that players are under in NZ. How much of each will be down to the individual.

 

[lance2010]

yeah this rule should be changed if they no longer wanted by the All Blacks or Aussie then who cares,like Laulala and Ben Atiga who played bugger all for the ABs,im sure Sione Lauaki would love to smash over his former AB team-mates.

 

[nickdnz]

yeah this rule should be changed if they no longer wanted by the All Blacks or Aussie then who cares,like Laulala and Ben Atiga who played bugger all for the ABs,im sure Sione Lauaki would love to smash over his former AB team-mates.

Any number of All Blacks tests is an honour, whether you play 1 minute or 100 test caps. Sione Lauaki, Ben Atiga and Casey Laulala have played more for the All Blacks, than a majority of New Zealanders will in a life time. It would be a change that would undermine the value of playing for your country, be it New Zealand or Tonga. It would not solve any issues. Samoa, Tonga and Fiji are not short of any player quality. They have some of the naturally best rugby players in the world, and they have enough professional rugby players to be very competitive. What they are short on is preparation time and game time to build as a team. What the IRB need to do is give them funding for better facilities, coaching and windows for players to play for their countires. They need regular matches against quality opposition.

A quick injection of good players, isn't going to be a long term answer to anything. It's paper over the cracks. The PI problems comes entirely from funding, and having a few Australians and All Blacks will not solve that. I think smartcookie's idea is not a bad one, as it means that players will play for their country because they believe themselves to be members of that country. I would further add to that, and this may not be held with very much agreement, that if you represent another country, you give the caps you have earned representing another country back.

 

[lance2010]

Any number of All Blacks tests is an honour, whether you play 1 minute or 100 test caps. Sione Lauaki, Ben Atiga and Casey Laulala have played more for the All Blacks, than a majority of New Zealanders will in a life time. It would be a change that would undermine the value of playing for your country, be it New Zealand or Tonga. It would not solve any issues. Samoa, Tonga and Fiji are not short of any player quality. They have some of the naturally best rugby players in the world, and they have enough professional rugby players to be very competitive. What they are short on is preparation time and game time to build as a team. What the IRB need to do is give them funding for better facilities, coaching and windows for players to play for their countires. They need regular matches against quality opposition.

A quick injection of good players, isn't going to be a long term answer to anything. It's paper over the cracks. The PI problems comes entirely from funding, and having a few Australians and All Blacks will not solve that. I think smartcookie's idea is not a bad one, as it means that players will play for their country because they believe themselves to be members of that country. I would further add to that, and this may not be held with very much agreement, that if you represent another country, you give the caps you have earned representing another country back.

Yeah i see where your coming from and i like your explanation of your opinion,but the islands are never gonna be at the level of tier1 nation ever.They do it in League i don't see the problem with it,been a pacific islander myself no matter what you do in life your always wanna rep your island and your villages be it at the end of your rugby career of during your prime.

 

[peks89]

its cos we're black!..lol jks

na its true...those ******** betrayed us! but in the end of the day its good rugby!!! dnt really mind seeing other islanders playing for other countries...as long as they play good.

 

[nickdnz]

its cos we're black!..lol jks

na its true...those ******** betrayed us! but in the end of the day its good rugby!!! dnt really mind seeing other islanders playing for other countries...as long as they play good.

Fair comment, except I presume the bold bit is meant as a joke?