Cooper Vuna named in Tonga squad

[Moses]

Without looking at the pro's and cons or the merits of the system, it is still the system. This is well known now by players and agents.

Well, not all players and agents

Thomas Waldrom, Leicester's New Zealand-born No8, is targeting a place in England's World Cup squad after discovering his grandmother was born in this country.

The 27-year-old joined Leicester last summer and recently spoke of his desire to play for England once he had served out the required 36 months of continued residency. But Waldrom has realised he may already be qualified after a meeting with his agent – and he woke up his mother in New Zealand to get confirmation.

"In theory, I could play tomorrow if they wanted me. I don't have to wait three years any more," Waldrom told the Leicester Mercury. "I would definitely take it if I got the nod for the World Cup.

"My agent came round and he brought the pamphlet with the International Rugby Board's rules regarding qualifying after residency. My wife was going through the criteria. She saw the line about being able to qualify immediately if one of your grandparents was born in the respective country.

"I remembered reading somewhere that my grandmother was English. I rang up my mum in New Zealand, where it was four o'clock in the morning. I apologised for waking her up and asked if nana was born in England. She said yes, and that she also had the birth certificate to prove it."

Waldrom, the former Hurricanes and Crusaders loose-forward, was overlooked by the All Blacks and would have no qualms pulling on an England jersey.

"It would be a great honour to put the shirt on," Waldrom said. "It would be a privilege to play against the All Blacks if the chance came along, and would be a chance for me to show them just how good I am."

btw, if anyone would like a simple summary of the actual rules, check out International Rugby Eligibility Rules

 

[Ruggo]

They should just exempt Pacific Island players from the foriegn player laws. I don't see it hurting our devevelopment but it also helps grow the game in the SH. It also seems that all the red tape bullshit loses sight that these are players that have contributed to Australian rugby at the club level.

 

[Gooch]

I thought Vuna said he was hoping to one day play for the Wallabies when he changed codes. Something about his dad making him watch the AB's as a kid and now he was in rugby, would put his hat in the ring for a gold jersey. Maybe he has changed his mind, gets the opportunity to play in the RWC for Tonga and heads back to league?

 

[Eyes and Ears]

I don't think Pakalani has to move at all, isn't he a foreign marquee player at present?

I would assume that Anesi is the marquee player and Pakalani is the foreign development player (ie potential to be eligible for WBs). Therefore he could only get the marquee role and I don't think he would be their first choice. He could get lucky like Anesi that the Tahs couldn't find anyone else.

 

[Bullrush]

Without looking at the pro's and cons or the merits of the system, it is still the system. This is well known now by players and agents. Therefor a promising Fijian player has to realise at 18 that if he plays for the Fiji U20s he is now a Fijian player. This was often lost on players 10 years ago, but it is not really relevant these days. Who is the bloke (i'm sure lee will know) who is playing in the top 14 and in red hot form and the French coach wanted to call him to his current squad however they did a backround check on him and he played for Morocco in a WC qualifier when he was like 17. I can see that the rules are tough on a bloke like that, but in all honesty I am for it. I dont really like the idea of players getting 30 tests for one country and 10 for another, while it might make competitions more even, you dilute the patriotism and that is far more important to the fabric of sport.

If all things were equal then I would agree but they aren't. Here's a couple of issues:

1. A young Samoan fella is selected to play for the All Blacks at 22 maybe. Compared with playing for Samoa, becoming an All Black carries with it not only the satisfaction of knowing that you're considered one of the best but the opportunities to advance your career and increase your income are substantially increased by turning your back on Manu Samoa. And every Samoan in the world can understand why they do it. You get the best in terms of training facilities and support. You play the best competition in the world and prove yourself. And you get pretty well paid for it. It's a no-brainer really.

2. The RWC should be the best in the game playing against each other. If someone like Radike Samo or Ross Filipo are not wanted by Aus or NZ but are still good enough to represent their country of birth, why should we be denied seeing that competition? I hate watching Tests knowing that there are better players who could be making a better contest of the game sitting at home watching it on TV because of this stupid rule.

3. The patriotism is arguably diluted already. There are plenty of players playing in NZ, Aus, Eng etc that were born elsewhere. If weren't simply for the fact that they get more money playing for England or whoever then they wouldn't represent them. And maybe I'm cynical but I'm sure that guys like Shontayne Hape would have taken the Black jersey over the English Rose if they had had the opportunity or had been good enough. They play for someone else not out of patriotism only but for other reasons as well.

Change the rule and let's see a true competition.

 

[Gnostic]

Agree fully Bullrush, as I've said before, but only for Tier 2 nations, ie those with no professional Compettion of their own (and Japan).

 

[Langthorne]

Maybe each national side could have a couple of marquee foriegners a la Aussie Super teams?!

 

[rugbysmartarse]

What about tweak the current rule so it only applies to open national teams, not age group rep teams