Transfers rumours

[TRF_Olyy]

Not much a risk playing behind manu,
Ben gets a couple of weeks extra rest after missing his summer being with the lions, Manu explodes in early October and Teo starts for the rest of the season

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Not much a risk playing behind manu,
Ben gets a couple of weeks extra rest after missing his summer being with the lions, Manu explodes in early October and Teo starts for the rest of the season

True.

Thacker has looked good at 12/13 during preseason.

 

[Which Tyler]

Conversely, the idea of starting alongside JJ must be appealing to him and his England prospects.

 

[BPM]

Agreed. Bath makes a lot more sense.

Realistically, I think Eddie's preference is the dual-playmaker model. However, if Te'o and JJ were to strike up a good understanding in midfield, I think they could be deadly and it would certainly give Eddie some food for thought.

He'd be a good player for Clark to learn from as well.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Toby Flood to German national side (via some kind of 7s loophole).

http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/9075/37/

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's bloody mental

 

[ratsapprentice]

Don't think that 7's loophole is open, anymore.

I think it was a one time thing for the last Olympics.

 

[BPM]

I thought that law was intended for players who are tied to countries who aren't going to pick them not 60 cap internationals.

I thought it was meant to allow players like Fritz Lee who is tied to NZ becasue he played 7s for them yonks ago to re-qualify for Samoa.

Personally, I wouldn't even be against players with a handful of caps for tier 1 sides re-qualifying for tier 2 ones. From a selfish point of view for Quins, I like Francis Saili being around all season but he's an example of someone who's never likely to play for NZ again but could be a useful asset for Samoa. I'm sure there are plenty of similar examples.

 

[Groundhog]

To be fair Flood does look like the main initially idealistic, but quickly horrified and traumatised German soldier in a WW2 movie that focuses on and humanises the German side.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Don't think that 7's loophole is open, anymore.

I think it was a one time thing for the last Olympics.

I think the loophole is open but the time off needed is double that of the last Olympics. For the last Olympics they reduced the offtime from 36 to 18 months.

The one story mentioned that he applied for the passport after brexit. I wonder if any other sub-international professional Brits have looked into getting European passports.

Would be interesting, don't really like it but would be interesting.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Personally, I wouldn't even be against players with a handful of caps for tier 1 sides re-qualifying for tier 2 ones. From a selfish point of view for Quins, I like Francis Saili being around all season but he's an example of someone who's never likely to play for NZ again but could be a useful asset for Samoa. I'm sure there are plenty of similar examples.

They do it in RL and it's a complete ****-show.

It doesn't really benefit countries like Samoa anymore than having a load of Australian born and raised "Italians" playing for the RL side does.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I think the loophole is open but the time off needed is double that of the last Olympics. For the last Olympics they reduced the offtime from 36 to 18 months.

The one story mentioned that he applied for the passport after brexit. I wonder if any other sub-international professional Brits have looked into getting European passports.

Would be interesting, don't really like it but would be interesting.

I misremembered what the rule was.

I would have thought WR could close the loophole as per it's relevance to 15's.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

I misremembered what the rule was.

I would have thought WR could close the loophole as per it's relevance to 15's.

They made it so you have to play in four World Series tournaments to complete the switch.

You would hope they would do something about the regulations but world rugby moves at a snails pace with these type of things.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

To be fair to Flood his intentions seem good. He says he wants to "help a fledgling country" which is good in my eyes, and frankly I see no other reason that he would want to play for Germany. He's already an accomplished international and I seriously doubt that there's much financial gain to come from playing for them. I'm not a fan of that this can happen but good on him I suppose.

 

[ratsapprentice]

No issue with it in theory, in practice it's a different matter.

I'm also skeptical as to how much this sort of thing actually does to help developing countries.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

No issue with it in theory, in practice it's a different matter.

I'm also skeptical as to how much this sort of thing actually does to help developing countries.

Probably not a great deal but it will be good for the players to be in the same environment as someone with Flood's experience and knowledge.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I think it is a wonderful gesture by Herr Flood to be honest; he has very little to gain from this other than personal satisfaction and life experience. There is no realistic prospect of a RWC appearance. The loophole has to disappear though.

German rugby had an article in Planet Rugby a few weeks ago essentially telling players around the world to check their passports. I think they will be pursuing this loophole aggressively as their domestic league is unlikely to attract players if anything like Floods calibre to aim for three years residency. Toby's move here might publicise it further and dare I say open the floodgates...

...

 

[Which Tyler]

You would hope they would do something about the regulations but world rugby moves at a snails pace with these type of things.

For as long as rugby wants to remain in the Olympics, the loophole HAS to remain.
It's already as hard as they can possibly make it without losing our Olympic status.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

For as long as rugby wants to remain in the Olympics, the loophole HAS to remain.
It's already as hard as they can possibly make it without losing our Olympic status.

I saw that it had something to do with the Olympic charter.

But basketball has rules that limit the ability of players to transfer nationality:

You must have passport before 16. Only one nationalised player on roster.

 

[saintmaster]

Brad Shields to Saracens or Wasps, has an eye on playing for England apparently, qualifying through his English passport