Transfers 2014/15

[Darwin]

In fairness, as pointed out, he's not a designated project player, so this isn't necessarily the IRFU thinking they'd like him down the line. But it might be and we all know they've done it. And while it may be ludicrous, it might be argued that it would also be ludicrous for countries to overlook a rules legal way of strengthening their team. Here's hoping they change the rules at some point (maybe after Wiehan Herbst qualifies so we can keep him long term...) as its the only way to change that.

Darwin - Such a contract would be illegal and therefore can't exist. No idea what would happen as it hasn't come up. Closest its come is Strauss getting a Boks call up prior to being capped for Ireland, but he turned it down.

In that case I wouldn't worry about him bring a "project player". He will be playing for Samoa before the end of the season.....

 

[LittleGuy]

The grandparent rule we wil have to agree to disagree on, it's cleary more beneficial to the "Old World" than the "New World". I don't mind coming out and honestly telling you I think it's an advantage for the European sides that countries like Canada and Australia for example can't match since people didn't/don't emigrate at high levels from here. Parent I don't mind since we'd get into all sorts of weird debates about full citizenship if that didn't apply.

And a correction I was wrong about FIFA, they do now have a grandfather rule.

 

[nickdnz]

The grandparent rule we wil have to agree to disagree on, it's cleary more beneficial to the "Old World" than the "New World". I don't mind coming out and honestly telling you I think it's an advantage for the European sides that countries like Canada and Australia for example can't match since people didn't/don't emigrate at high levels from here. Parent I don't mind since we'd get into all sorts of weird debates about full citizenship if that didn't apply.

And a correction I was wrong about FIFA, they do now have a grandfather rule.

Agreed. New Zealand the same - it's certainly not beneficial to us. We're by far and away the most robbed country in the world in this sense - although most of it comes from countries like Samoa - but Ireland, England, Scotland etc all take advantage. I'd say a very large, maybe 60% of the population, have immigrated here within three generations - myself included. Not to be a dick, but I'd genuinely be suprised if someone like Thomas Waldrom really considered himself English...

What's wierd is that I can no longer get a British passport with my Grandparents on both sides both born in England, yet I can be selected to play for their national team..

On Bundi Aki - I wouldn't be supised if he didn't decide to move because he saw the 'prodigal son' returning next season and with Fruean and Ngatai there, there is the possibility he would be getting much less game time.

 

[Peat]

Not to be a dick, but I'd genuinely be suprised if someone like Thomas Waldrom really considered himself English...

Given that he didn't remember his grandmother was English when he arrived in England thinking he'd like to play for the England rugby team, I don't think surprise covers it. But that's not everyone - you either remove some people with genuine cultural and emotional ties or you allowed a few spoofers.

I'd agree that some teams benefit more than others though, that's pretty obvious.

 

[McTallshort]

Lets not talk about Thomas the tank playing for England please? It brings me out in the same shivers as when people mention Steve Borthwick and Chris Ashton.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't think it's a big advantage at all, it's rare that a granny rule player who doesn't genuinely want to play for their grandparents country is successful. Sean Maitland became a Lion with Scotland but he had the advantage of being Scottish, he wasn't actually good enough. Tallshort's comment sums up Waldrom. The only example I can think it was actually successful was Irelands football team in the 90's which was full of English players a lot of whom probably would have played for England if they'd been picked.

 

[nickdnz]

Well - Bundee Aki has now said he is targetting playing international rugby for Ireland

"Family is everything for me," he said. While he does not expect anything to be handed to him on a platter, the lure of the Irish jersey is now a clear motivator. "That's a big part of my decision to move," he said. "Hopefully when the time is right and if I'm playing good footy, hopefully I can play for the Ireland international team.
"I've got to play well before that though. I'm eligible for Samoa.
"That was another big decision for myself – to see if I would play for them or not. If I play three years over there and it doesn't go well, I can always go back to Samoa.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...undee-Aki-targets-Irish-jersey-as-he-quits-NZ

Wow.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well - Bundee Aki has now said he is targetting playing international rugby for Ireland



http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...undee-Aki-targets-Irish-jersey-as-he-quits-NZ

Wow.

Well he'll have 3 years to show his stuff.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Well - Bundee Aki has now said he is targetting playing international rugby for Ireland



http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...undee-Aki-targets-Irish-jersey-as-he-quits-NZ

Wow.

Seems like a bit of a prat.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Well - Bundee Aki has now said he is targetting playing international rugby for Ireland



http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...undee-Aki-targets-Irish-jersey-as-he-quits-NZ

Wow.

Aki doesn't do himself any favours in that interview. Basically it's I'll play for whoever will cap me. It's not New Zealand but Ireland or Samoa will be good enough. I hope he does brilliantly for Connacht and helps boost the players around him. I also hope he doesn't get anywhere near an Ireland shirt.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Ireland are basically saying they'll cap him though... no?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Aki doesn't do himself any favours in that interview. Basically it's I'll play for whoever will cap me. It's not New Zealand but Ireland or Samoa will be good enough. I hope he does brilliantly for Connacht and helps boost the players around him. I also hope he doesn't get anywhere near an Ireland shirt.

In his defence it sounds like money is a huge factor in his decision. He has a young family, and they aren't exactly rolling in the dough in NZ, given that Aki had to give up rugby for a year. While he'd probably prefer to play for NZ or Samoa (though I don't think he'll ever be good enough for NZ), by heading to Ireland as a project player he can get a good salary in the short term and potentially an even bigger one in the long term. I'm sure Ireland/Connact approached him, I very much doubt he went looking for overseas clubs!

 

[Feicarsinn]

Ireland are basically saying they'll cap him though... no?

No? Connacht aren't subject to the same NIQ rules as the other three provinces and as such don't have to justify their foreign signings by designating them project players. They just wanted a centre I guess.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Ok - fair enough.

I'm guessing there has been some sort of communication between him and the IRFU - however informal it has been.
That's just conjecture though... but he's being very brazen about it.

 

[ruggabee]

Seems like a bit of a prat.

Played with him through age groups and he's definitely not a prat. Really laid back and humble but trains hard. He's a competitor and wants to play at the top whilst family will be very important to him. I'm sure he just wants to get the most out of this career while he can.

Aki doesn't do himself any favours in that interview. Basically it's I'll play for whoever will cap me. It's not New Zealand but Ireland or Samoa will be good enough. I hope he does brilliantly for Connacht and helps boost the players around him. I also hope he doesn't get anywhere near an Ireland shirt.

I agree but we can't blame him for making the most out of a short career. If people disagree with him playing for Ireland, such as I do, then the only party that should be looked down on is the IRFU. As a player I'd take it if the opportunity was there; it would be naive not to.

 

[Peat]

Ok - fair enough.

I'm guessing there has been some sort of communication between him and the IRFU - however informal it has been.
That's just conjecture though... but he's being very brazen about it.

There doesn't really have to have been any. It has been very clearly that if you are IQ and in Ireland, the Irish management will look at you.

I mean, it wouldn't surprise me if there was some but it could just as easily be a Waldrom or Bowden scenario - international rugby is an ambition, so they've moved to a country with an open door selection policy.

Mindyou... good luck to him trying that at Connacht. I've heard people say Munster were on the lookout for a centre, so either that's not true, or they've missed a trick, or Mr Aki isn't so clever.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

"Family is everything to me"...so I really want to play for the country I have less than 0 family ties to, while turning my back on the nation(s?) of my forefathers.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

"Family is everything to me"...so I really want to play for the country I have less than 0 family ties to, while turning my back on the nation(s?) of my forefathers.

I don't think people are really referring to their forefathers when they say something along the lines of what Aki did He's saying it's important that he does right by his family, and in this case that means doing what is financially responsible.

 

[Peat]

I don't think people are really referring to their forefathers when they say something along the lines of what Aki did He's saying it's important that he does right by his family, and in this case that means doing what is financially responsible.

This.

 

[Thingimubob]

By stupid, you mean stupid of the rules to allow this?

Have to say, I can't really argue with that, but as an Ulster fan, I am truly grateful for the rules as it makes our squad stronger.

Not sure how long the IRB can keep them as the are though, what with Ireland, Scotland and Australia all nakedly targeting untied foreigners. I've seen Welsh coaches talk about untied signings as potential Welsh players too. I'd probably go with five years to qualify...

Only because being untied means they don't towards the NWQ quota places on matchday squads. Not sure I can remember the last time Wales played, or even selected a project player in a broader squad (Not counting those who qualified via ancestry here though)? In fact the only one who has been touted recently is Hanno Dirksen, who was eligible for this years 6 Nations and wasn't selected. Admittedly, he probably would've been capped by now if his year in Wales on a student visa had counted, meaning he would've been available while he was on excellent form before his long injury lay off.
Still, hardly as if we're targeting foreign players with the intent to turn them out for Wales in a few years time!