I have more time for those two because at least they stuck around after gaining eligibility - I believe CJ Stander is an Irish citizen now, and I'm pretty sure Botha is a British citizen now, as he still lives in England after retiring
At least Stander didn't just qualify for residency and **** off. He has some emotional connection to Ireland. VDM clearly doesn't
They are all South African mercenaries for hire...
The B&I Lions, is a gathering of the 4 home nations (as they used to call them, before some Irish poster starts to attack me). Surely there must be some bit of pride left in the Lions to pick 39-50 players who are born and bred local talent???
Watch your mouth, it's Quinn Poo to you.
FTFY
I don't think you can have 1 rule for 1 and another for someone else. It's got to be consistent.
Born and bred? Sorry but you need to take into account the level of immigration into Britain and Ireland, stopping someone from representing a rugby team on the basis of "your not born here mate" is somewhat racist and rightly open to legal challenge. Yes the residency rules around international selection have been abused by all the nations involved in the Lions but if you qualify for England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales then you quality for the Lions. Its not perfect but then nothing in life is.
I did say born and bred? So age group players is also OK.
I can see where you're coming from but to me the lions should be no different to any other international team in that if you qualify through residency then fine. Now naturally we can have a separate debate about what the residency rules should be and I think a lot would agree 3 years isn't long enough but it is what it is I suppose. I think we're more or less on the same page anyway. If you've been here for several years, especially as a kid under 18 then all good.
Fine, then might as well end the traditions of the B&I Lions now, get teams like Scotland to get more project players into their national squads, and by 2050 or so, none of the B&I Lions players are actually from England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland. Call them the global barbarians, and have them tour every 4 years to any of the top 10 teams on the rankings...
I don't see how you got that from my post. I don't think 3 years is long enough and you yourself have said if someone has moved somewhere as a kid then that is fine. So you're obviously ok with the residency rule to some degree just not as it is in its current format. If Stander or Van de Merwe had moved here as 15 year olds, say, then I don't think you'd have to much problem if 10 years later they were selcted for the Lions. That's all I'm saying, I'm not saying have some fee for all where anyone can come over and claim whatever nationality they like. I've always thought 5 years is fine but wouldn't have any problem if they raised it to 7 years.
Pretty sure if someone is eligible for any of B&I Lions countries who was not selected on these ground due to an actual policy would have a field day. Not only would the legal battle be expensive but they'd also have took out things like potential future earnings. If it were found out Gatland and his team had any discussion along these lines and then didn't select VDM they'd also be opening themselves up for litigation.
Yeah I appreciate that and I didn't mean to imply that was his position I'm just trying to get to what his actual views are or better put, what are his limits for what is ok and what is not ok. Where does he draw the line?
Te'o and VDM. Wuss really trying hard to kill what the Lions stand for... My new second team.
