Transfers rumours

[munstermuffin]

The point that's being made is that the players that you're saying have come over and look "great" simply don't.

Basically yes they're been built up by media as been good but people who watch games like Olyy and yourself know Sheridan isn't this monster at 12 that was quoted by Hugh Farrelly recently as "Tuilagi-like".
I enjoy Sky coverage at times but it's same if you want an English version. When Munster played Saints in HEC few years ago Geraghty was built up so much for first game you'd swear Dan Carter wouldn't lace his boots. He played well and for return in Limerick same but when he flopped it was simply just hushed and on to next guy

 

[Patchey]

Gareth Anscombe ----> Cardiff Blues (not Auckland ) and Wales.

Planet Rugby is reporting that Warren Gatland is considering Anscombe, who has a Welsh mum, as a key part of his 2015 World Cup strategy. The jist seems to be he is viewed as an answer to Waless 10 problems (because Biggar can't seem to get a break with Gats). Anscombe isn't going to get NZ cap any time soon and his Dad coaches in the Pro 12 so I guess it makes sense.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Gareth Anscombe ----> Cardiff Blues (not Auckland ) and Wales.

Planet Rugby is reporting that Warren Gatland is considering Anscombe, who has a Welsh mum, as a key part of his 2015 World Cup strategy. The jist seems to be he is viewed as an answer to Waless 10 problems (because Biggar can't seem to get a break with Gats). Anscombe isn't going to get NZ cap any time soon and his Dad coaches in the Pro 12 so I guess it makes sense.

Makes more sense than him going to Glous which was touted.

Excellent player NZ should've capped him earlier, excellent depth player to have trouble is they are so many World class 10's and 15s in NZ compared to the rest of the world.

 

[Patchey]

Makes more sense than him going to Glous which was touted.

Excellent player NZ should've capped him earlier, excellent depth player to have trouble is they are so many World class 10's and 15s in NZ compared to the rest of the world.

Yeah, and it's not like his a Kiwi with a Scottish grandmother, it appears his connection to Wales is more substantial.

I think he's very unlucky not to have played at 15 for the All Blacks. Dagg has been gash almost since 2011 and last season in particular I think there was a reasonable agrument for him to be dropped, leaving room for Abscombe to at least bench.

Not sure about him as a 10 though. Wasn't great for the Cheifs there lat weekend by then he doesn't play much there due to Cruden being, obviously, much better option there.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeh I get the Parents rule don't like the grandparents rule currently used.

Like Waldrom did.

 

[Bluemoon]

Yeah, and it's not like his a Kiwi with a Scottish grandmother, it appears his connection to Wales is more substantial.

I think he's very unlucky not to have played at 15 for the All Blacks. Dagg has been gash almost since 2011 and last season in particular I think there was a reasonable agrument for him to be dropped, leaving room for Abscombe to at least bench.

Not sure about him as a 10 though. Wasn't great for the Cheifs there lat weekend by then he doesn't play much there due to Cruden being, obviously, much better option there.

I think Cardiff Blues would play him at 15 now that 1/2p has left. Patchell was doing well at 10 and its likely Ans would be rotation between 15 and 10 with Patchell. Patchell isn't a natural 12, but could also possibly cover FB.

I would welcome a player of his quality, but I hope this doesn't stop Patchell from getting game time.

Its likely that this would be some sort of central contract deal, as I can't see Cardiff being able to afford him on their own. Wales then may have a say over his position.

 

[nickdnz]

Haha - I'd be suprised if Anscombe could find Wales on a map. People who think he considers himself Welsh are kidding themselves - it wasn't longer than 2012 than Gareth Anscombe said he was going to stay in New Zealand because he said he was a kiwi and didn't want to play elsewhere.

Okay, I'll say it. Does no one in the NH have any shame? The eligability rules really need to be revised...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Okay, I'll say it. Does no one in the NH have any shame? The eligability rules really need to be revised...

What should the eligibility rules be then.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Haha - I'd be suprised if Anscombe could find Wales on a map. People who think he considers himself Welsh are kidding themselves - it wasn't longer than 2012 than Gareth Anscombe said he was going to stay in New Zealand because he said he was a kiwi and didn't want to play elsewhere.

Okay, I'll say it. Does no one in the NH have any shame? The eligability rules really need to be revised...

Coming from a resident of New Poachland of all places!

 

[Bluemoon]

Haha - I'd be suprised if Anscombe could find Wales on a map. People who think he considers himself Welsh are kidding themselves - it wasn't longer than 2012 than Gareth Anscombe said he was going to stay in New Zealand because he said he was a kiwi and didn't want to play elsewhere.

Okay, I'll say it. Does no one in the NH have any shame? The eligability rules really need to be revised...

We do. Most of us would prefer Biggar or Hook to be in the mix, with Owen Williams or Rhys Patchell to come through in the next two years.

I think this is a great bit of journalism by Andy Howell of the Western Fail. He always likes to stir things up. From the Blues perspective, they would happily have a class player playing in their team and I think he's a fantastic signing at 15.

It'll be clearer who wanted to sign the player IF he signs and what on what sort of contract.

 

[nickdnz]

What should the eligibility rules be then.

Born in a country or have lived there for 5+ years.

People can talk BS about being born in England but feel more Irish because of grandparents...fine, they should live 5 years in Ireland.

 

[Patchey]

Haha - I'd be suprised if Anscombe could find Wales on a map. People who think he considers himself Welsh are kidding themselves - it wasn't longer than 2012 than Gareth Anscombe said he was going to stay in New Zealand because he said he was a kiwi and didn't want to play elsewhere.

Okay, I'll say it. Does no one in the NH have any shame? The eligability rules really need to be revised...

I'm not saying he's a leek wearing, patroitic Welshman whose life ambition has been to play for Wales, just that being half-Welsh is a much better qualification for playing for Wales than having a grandparent from Scotland if for playing for Scotland.

I don't really see the eligability rules issue here. There are plenty of things wrong with them but playing for the country your mother comes from is not issue IMO (and I'm keen for Wales not ​to get any more talented backs!).

 

[Peat]

Haha - I'd be suprised if Anscombe could find Wales on a map. People who think he considers himself Welsh are kidding themselves - it wasn't longer than 2012 than Gareth Anscombe said he was going to stay in New Zealand because he said he was a kiwi and didn't want to play elsewhere.

Okay, I'll say it. Does no one in the NH have any shame? The eligability rules really need to be revised...

So this chat about Malakai Fekitoa being regarded as a future All Blacks is all balls, yeah?

Reality - we have just as much and just as little shame as you guys, just inferior production lines. That's all. The squealing over every NZ born player getting called up by another country would be a lot easier to sympathise with if it wasn't for the steady trickle of Sivivatus.

 

[goodNumber10]

Robbie Deans - Wild Knights (Japan)

 

[nickdnz]

So this chat about Malakai Fekitoa being regarded as a future All Blacks is all balls, yeah?

Reality - we have just as much and just as little shame as you guys, just inferior production lines. That's all. The squealing over every NZ born player getting called up by another country would be a lot easier to sympathise with if it wasn't for the steady trickle of Sivivatus.

Oh Peat, I'll assume that's trying to take the bait rather than genuine ignorance.

Fekitoa has lived in New Zealand for five years - played school rugby here for Wesley College in 2009. If you can't see the difference between immigrating to a country for five years - for opportunities or what ever reason, and then being able to represent a country as a member of a country, as opposed to a Thomas Waldrom who was born in a different country, developed under another countries rugby systems, played professional rugby for another countries professional teams - and then discovered they're actually English, because, *****, it's so damn easy to get selected for England - then we're ganna have to agree to disagree. I have nothing against someone like Delon Armitage or even Dylan Hartley playing for England, they clearly decided to live there long enough that they may well consider themselves English prior to selection. But scouting for foreign players who may have a grandmother born in your country is pathetic.

I'll enjoy the list of players who didn't play school rugby here before representing New Zealand (guess what, Sivivatu isn't on it ) you can conjure up.

 

[goodNumber10]

Oh Peat, I'll assume that's trying to take the bait rather than genuine ignorance.

Fekitoa has lived in New Zealand for five years - played school rugby here for Wesley College in 2009. If you can't see the difference between immigrating to a country for five years - for opportunities or what ever reason, and then being able to represent a country as a member of a country, as opposed to a Thomas Waldrom who was born in a different country, developed under another countries rugby systems, played professional rugby for another countries professional teams - and then discovered they're actually English, because, *****, it's so damn easy to get selected for England - then we're ganna have to agree to disagree. I have nothing against someone like Delon Armitage or even Dylan Hartley playing for England, they clearly decided to live there long enough that they may well consider themselves English prior to selection. But scouting for foreign players who may have a grandmother born in your country is pathetic.

I'll enjoy the list of players who didn't play school rugby here before representing New Zealand (guess what, Sivivatu isn't on it ) you can conjure up.

armitage grew up in England, lived in france for 6 years and came back to England - not sure how he even comes into this discussion.

What's the difference between 3 & 5 years (apart from 24 months), either you committ to the country you live in or you don't - i dont' see how two years makes them more englsih/welsh/whatever.

Besides there have been plenty of players over the years - especially when it was possible to switch allegiences - Gallacher, Bashop, Stanley, Jones - some of NZ's greatest players played for islands then swapped allegience.

*edit - i meant Bunce not stanley

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Waldrom wasn't scouted.

Even cockers was ****** when he signed for Leicester started playing well and suddenly said he had a English grandmother. Difference between a player moving with an idea of playing for that country and a country scouting for foreign players.

Cockers has always held a that against imo.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I am not aware of any player being "scouted" by England.

 

[goodNumber10]

AFAIA we've never done project players.

 

[nickdnz]

armitage grew up in England, lived in france for 6 years and came back to England - not sure how he even comes into this discussion.

What's the difference between 3 & 5 years (apart from 24 months), either you committ to the country you live in or you don't - i dont' see how two years makes them more englsih/welsh/whatever.

Besides there have been plenty of players over the years - especially when it was possible to switch allegiences - Gallacher, Bashop, Stanley, Jones - some of NZ's greatest players played for islands then swapped allegience.

Yup, and I think being able to switch allegiences was stupid to begin with. Of those player you mention Gallagher (?) never played for England, but was selcted after 4 years (which I think is a year too early), Bashop, Jones, Stanley and I'll throw in Frank Bunce were born in New Zealand and lived here all their lives but was elligable for Samoa/Tonga because of heritage. The only players I can think of that was born in the islands and played for that country before being selected by the ABs (off the top of my head) is Joeli Vidiri. I mentioned Armitage because he was born in Trinidad and Tobago.

Regardless, my point isn't that the All Blacks are perfect, it's that the system is becoming arbitrary. It's not club rugby, it's international rugby and it ought to mean something. Right now it's just open to abuse and those who disagree have their heads in the sand, because it benefits them.