Mafi

edjo

Just to let ye know that Mafi could be eligible to play for Ireland at the end of next yr.....some rule (dunno know what it is) is gonna be changed which will allow him to play. Hook & Popey were on about it Saturday night aswell in the rugby highlights so to say theres never a possibility he'll play for Ireland (as was said in the other thread) isnt true.....in fact theres quiet a strong chance he'll be eligible by the end of next year in time for 6N 2010.

Size=everything

Wouldn't want him.

BOD/Fitz partnership developing over the next few years will be much better.

also can Mafi pass a ball?

Stev_o

Wait wait wait let me get this straight Hook and Pope now a fact.... a fact before anyone else does??? Wow thats a new one indeed.

He got a 7's cap cant play, end of story, who cares, end of!

IrishMike

RickyHatton wrote: »

Wouldn't want him.

BOD/Fitz partnership developing over the next few years will be much better.

also can Mafi pass a ball?

You are having a laugh i persume?
He was part of the best back line in the Heineken cup.
You have obviously not see a whole pile of the guy if you can discount his
ability with an ill informed comment like can he pass the ball.

edjo

Stev_o wrote: »

Wait wait wait let me get this straight Hook and Pope now a fact.... a fact before anyone else does??? Wow thats a new one indeed.

He got a 7's cap cant play, end of story, who cares, end of!

I never said what Hook & Pope says is fact!! I just said they were talking about it. They might be getting rid of that rule of the 7's cap.

Crash

If someone can beat it into him how to pass to a number higher than his jersey, then yes, maybe.

EDIT:

Edjo, throw in any more Munster/Leinster ****e and you'll find yourself reasonably quickly out of here.

Size=everything

IrishMike wrote: »

You are having a laugh i persume?
He was part of the best back line in the Heineken cup.
You have obviously not see a whole pile of the guy if you can discount his
ability with an ill informed comment like can he pass the ball.

the best backline in the Heineken cup???

that is quite a statement.

The guy cannot pass he always takes a step. He is the kiwi version of a performing D'arcy yet not as good. I have never seen the big deal with him to be honest and I think we have much better options.

future_plans

Best Heineken Cup Back line or not, as a country we are unfortunately not blessed with an abundance of backs talent that can play at that level (or even just below it). We should have learned from EO'S not to put all our eggs in one basket. It would be stupid to discount Mafi as even a squad player for Ieland if available. BO'D and Fitz won't be fit all the time anyway.

However, I can't see that rule changing anyway. Where or who ever this is coming from are just lobbing a grenade into the room and then waiting to see what happens.

quagmire69

would be good to have him around in terms of competetion but he he's not irish. I'm not a big fan of the residency rule, gotta have some blood relation in my opinion.

Ulstermell0

quagmire69 wrote: »

would be good to have him around in terms of competetion but he he's not irish. I'm not a big fan of the residency rule, gotta have some blood relation in my opinion.

totally agree - the residancy rule has lead to quite a few Pacific Islanders playing for NZ instead of strengthening the likes of samoa and tonga.
would be good to see these sides do better (even though they alreeady do well) and help make rugby more worldwide!

Zzippy

RickyHatton wrote: »

BOD/Fitz partnership developing over the next few years will be much better.

BOD is no spring chicken anymore, and with injuries taking their toll there's no guarantee he'll be around over the next few years to develop that partnership. Better to have more quality centres available for when he's not fit.


BTW, check out BOD's wiki:

Brian Gerald O'Driscoll (born 21 January 1979)is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is the current captain of the Luxembourg national rugby union team....

:pac:

ekevosu

Even if Mafi is eligible (if there is a rule change), who says he even wants to play for us. He might harbour a desire to try with his native Tonga.

Amazotheamazing

He has said he would like to play for us if the chance arose, but that he didn't let it worry him as he can't affect the rule himself.

I'd have no issue if he'd rather play for one of the Islands.

Size=everything

Zzippy wrote: »

BOD is no spring chicken anymore, and with injuries taking their toll there's no guarantee he'll be around over the next few years to develop that partnership. Better to have more quality centres available for when he's not fit.

BOD is 28 and Mafi is 27 its not as if theres a massive gap. BOD still has 4 more solid years left and I feel he is beginning to regain his form and will soon be back to his best.

I'm not a big fan of Mafi and his inability to pass and think we do have some great,younger centres in :

Fitz
and
Trimble

both young and playing at top level and can only improve!

Then theres the option of Wallace who I think is nowhere near as bad as people make out and D'Arcy if he can regain his form he is twice the player that Mafi is.

And thats not even to mention the talent starting to come through notably Kearney's younger brother and Felix Jones

To be honest I think we have plenty of centre options

Amazotheamazing

RickyHatton wrote: »

Wouldn't want him.

BOD/Fitz partnership developing over the next few years will be much better.

also can Mafi pass a ball?

We've no idea what the BOD/Fitz partnership will be like yet, I suspect you are dismissing Mafi because of who he plays with and not becuase of his skills.

He's not the complete player yet, but he's the best 12 playing in Ireland at the minute. BOD was a great 12 when he played there 4 years ago, we've no idea if he will be as good now.

Btw, Mafi is 25, turns 26 in August.

Size=everything

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

We've no idea what the BOD/Fitz partnership will be like yet,

Do we have any idea what a BOD/Mafi combo is like? I honestly do not want a player who flat out refuses to pass on the Irish team. I think the prospect of Fitz and BOD is A LOT more threatening and has the potential to be an amazing combination. With BOD and Mafi we get a slightly worse version of the BOD D'arcy combo.

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I suspect you are dismissing Mafi because of who he plays with and not becuase of his skills.

Read the munster vs leinters scheisse sticky. Enough of this crap. I don't like him because I think he is overrated and I find it amazing how a player at this level can't pass the pall. When he does pass it would seem the pass was more suited for american football.

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

He's not the complete player yet, but he's the best 12 playing in Ireland at the minute. BOD was a great 12 when he played there 4 years ago, we've no idea if he will be as good now.

Can't Trimble play 12? Hes going to be around for much longer too. When BOD goes and Mafi goes soon after do you want to just throw in an inexperienced Trimble/Fitz? Or would you prefer if at least one of them is experienced. As the centre pairing is now we can have Fitz experienced so when BOD retires it wont be a huge loss. If Mafi comes into the mix this might not happen

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Btw, Mafi is 25, turns 26 in August.

My Mistake, still 26 to BODs 28 its hardly a massive gap. and whose to even say Mafi will stay in Ireland for the next 6 years?

Amazotheamazing

Wait a second, Knox was in the paper saying D'Arcy couldn't pass well enough to play 12 for Ireland, I don't recall you calling for him to be dropped.

Let's look at Mafi's skills, hugely fast, great tackler, great side-step.

His weaknesses, poor passer, poor kicker.

To be honest, he just seems like a stronger, faster d'Arcy.

Now let's look at the other options for 12.

Paddy Wallace, no defence, great eyes of space, decent passer, no long pass, decent kicker.

Trimble, poor tackler, poor passer, poor kicker. Fast, strong.

Shane Horgan, has been poor at 12 before.


Imo, Mafi is at least as good as the other options, and is improving every game.

For you to dismiss him completely is a little weird.

Jello

RickyHatton wrote: »

My Mistake, still 26 to BODs 28 its hardly a massive gap.

BOD is 29.

Size=everything

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Wait a second, Knox was in the paper saying D'Arcy couldn't pass well enough to play 12 for Ireland, I don't recall you calling for him to be dropped.

Actually I did in 6N and WC threads. Still do we really need another centre who can't pass keeping out talents?

Let's look at Mafi's skills, hugely fast, great tackler, great side-step.

His weaknesses, poor passer, poor kicker.

To be honest, he just seems like a stronger, faster d'Arcy.

D'Arcy has a much better step and of course he knows BOD better.

Now let's look at the other options for 12.

Paddy Wallace, no defence, great eyes of space, decent passer, no long pass, decent kicker.

Hold on, Wallace has good defence, is an excellent kicker and can long pass!!

Trimble, poor tackler, poor passer, poor kicker. Fast, strong.

But 22 with lots of youth on his side!!

Shane Horgan, has been poor at 12 before.

I didn't mention him for centre? but hes not the worst so I quess I will include him if desperate

Imo, Mafi is at least as good as the other options, and is improving every game.

For you to dismiss him completely is a little weird.

The fact is do we really need another average centre who will keep our younger centre talents who will be around for 10+ years from gaining experience? Fitz has the potential to be world class, Mafi does not. Trimble will be around for at least 10 years, Mafi will not. I think we should be concentrating on developing these two centres rather than bringing in Mafi who is essentially the same as D'Arcy. You add another centre then potentially either Fitz or Trimble will be pushed out. then you have players like Jones and Kearneys's brother (using those two again) possibly pushed to the bench of the Ireland A team delaying their development.


and its not like were stuck in the case of injuries,

BOD,
D'arcy
Fitz
Trimble
Wallace
and if desperate Horgan

thats 6 players to cover two positions!

Size=everything

Jello wrote: »

BOD is 29.

turned it 5 months ago I just looked at his year of birth

KERPAL

Don't want Mafi

Reasons:

1. If he wasnt good enough in NZ, it doesnt say much for us if he plays for Ireland.
2. I do not believe he is in anyway upto the kind of standards a world class centre should posess.
3. He isnt Irish, same goes for Boss,Gleeson(I think).
4. Doesnt have the phsicallity for international rugby imo, we saw how Fitzgerald was bosehd a few times the other night, Mafi is not as big as him.
5. Think someone highlighted it, but his passing and creating ablity is quite poor, which is a pity because he has good pace and a great step.
6.Lets try and develop Irish talent, instead. I.E. Trimble, Fitzgerald and whatever else we have in academies.

Crash

Gleeson is Irish - moved to Oz when he was 7(?) I think. Born and spent his younger years here.

Amazotheamazing

I'm not calling for him to be straight into the squad, but he's definitely a player we could use.

Not sure if you saw Trimble this year, whatever talent he has has been hidden by a series of shocks to his confidence.

Maybe people missed it, but defensively, Mafi helped shut down some of the best centres in Europe this year, guys like Regan King, Jauzion and Flutely were prevented from playing.

I honestly think if he was with a flashier province people would be falling over themselves to praise him.

KERPAL

crash_000 wrote: »

Gleeson is Irish - moved to Oz when he was 7(?) I think. Born and spent his younger years here.

My mistake, fair enough, if he has been thought and brought up throught the Ireland rugby structure then he has every right to play for us.

I was discussing this as well with a friend, talk of J.C. going to Munster or Leinster, as true as it may not be, I do not think we can afford to overdo it on the foreign players front if we want our National team doing well.

KERPAL

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Maybe people missed it, but defensively, Mafi helped shut down some of the best centres in Europe this year, guys like Regan King, Jauzion and Flutely were prevented from playing.

I honestly think if he was with a flashier province people would be falling over themselves to praise him.

Mafi helped shut down, yes he did, but he was backed up by quite an excellent backrow which would have aided successfully most of the centres playing for the provinces in shutting down Flutey,King,Jauzion.

And dont bring up this flashier province b.s., i mean "Ireland by Birth,Munster by Grace of God", it doenst get more tribalisitic than that.

Size=everything

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I honestly think if he was with a flashier province people would be falling over themselves to praise him.

For the last time this has nothing to do with what province he plays for so stop trying to spin it as such.

The simple fact is he cannot pass and we should be developing our younger talents. Fitz has the potential to be world class, BOD is world class and Trimble can still develop into a great player hes only 22. We don't need another average centre that will potentially keep out Fitz or Trimble.

We have great talents climbing up the ranks, bringing in Mafi will only knock them back.

Amazotheamazing

KERPAL wrote: »

Mafi helped shut down, yes he did, but he was backed up by quite an excellent backrow which would have aided successfully most of the centres playing for the provinces in shutting down Flutey,King,Jauzion.

And dont bring up this flashier province b.s., i mean "Ireland by Birth,Munster by Grace of God", it doenst get more tribalisitic than that.

I'm not saying that people are judging him solely on who he plays for.

I'm pointing out the gameplan Munster use isn't expansive, so we rarely get to see him spread the ball. We know he played 7's for NZ, so we know he has a bigger skillset then we've seen so far, imo.

The set up for the try against Wasps in Coventry showed lovely passing from Mafi, iirc.

Amazotheamazing

RickyHatton wrote: »

For the last time this has nothing to do with what province he plays for so stop trying to spin it as such.

The simple fact is he cannot pass and we should be developing our younger talents. Fitz has the potential to be world class, BOD is world class and Trimble can still develop into a great player hes only 22. We don't need another average centre that will potentially keep out Fitz or Trimble.

We have great talents climbing up the ranks, bringing in Mafi will only knock them back.

Fitz will never be a world class 12, imo. BOD spends half of every season injured these days.

O'Gara said Mafi is one of the best 12's he's ever played with, and said, in his opinion, he would be an All Black by now if he played in NZ. I guess you'll dismiss that too?

Size=everything

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I'm not saying that people are judging him solely on who he plays for.

I'm pointing out the gameplan Munster use isn't expansive, so we rarely get to see him spread the ball. We know he played 7's for NZ, so we know he has a bigger skillset then we've seen so far, imo.

The set up for the try against Wasps in Coventry showed lovely passing from Mafi, iirc.

I don't think its a case that the gameplan is impeeding Mafi though that is a factor but the fact is I have lost count of the amount of times there has been a 2 on 1 and Mafi has stepped inside. Infuriating.

Also how many forward passes? Its got to be well into double figures

KERPAL

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I'm not saying that people are judging him solely on who he plays for.

I'm pointing out the gameplan Munster use isn't expansive, so we rarely get to see him spread the ball. We know he played 7's for NZ, so we know he has a bigger skillset then we've seen so far, imo.

The set up for the try against Wasps in Coventry showed lovely passing from Mafi, iirc.

It was expansive enough against to Toulouse the other day when he made a very good half break, with the world willing him to give it and set up what would have been a glorious try, only for Mafi to hesitate and make a mess of things.
Hes not Irish, hasnt come up through the ranks, has no right to play for Ireland and slow down the development of our shining light atm, Fitzgerald.

KERPAL

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Fitz will never be a world class 12, imo. BOD spends half of every season injured these days.

O'Gara said Mafi is one of the best 12's he's ever played with, and said, in his opinion, he would be an All Black by now if he played in NZ. I guess you'll dismiss that too?

Well Rog is hardly going to say hes ****e and wouldnt make the NZ team, they are teammates.

No way would Mafi be playing for NZ, NOT A CHANCE.

Size=everything

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Fitz will never be a world class 12, imo. BOD spends half of every season injured these days.

O'Gara said Mafi is one of the best 12's he's ever played with, and said, in his opinion, he would be an All Black by now if he played in NZ. I guess you'll dismiss that too?

Fitz can play 13 as well don't forget that. And IMO Fitz will certainly be world class Lievermont even said he was europes biggest prospect and was shocked he wasn't starting in the 6N. He is only 20 and is already running rings around defences.

What you mean these days? BOD has spent half of this season injured yes but usually his injuries are short term. Hes had hamstring problems and there was the lions injury as well but if anything he has simply been unlucky

I don't think Mafi would make NZ at all. I think O'Gara is delusional if he thinks that.

Amazotheamazing

KERPAL wrote: »

It was expansive enough against to Toulouse the other day when he made a very good half break, with the world willing him to give it and set up what would have been a glorious try, only for Mafi to hesitate and make a mess of things.
Hes not Irish, hasnt come up through the ranks, has no right to play for Ireland and slow down the development of our shining light atm, Fitzgerald.

Do you think Fitz will be a good 12?

If Fitz is good enough (and I think he will be) then he won't have to worry about getting ahead of what you consider an inferior player.

I'm not a huge fan of the residency rule, but if other nations use it and abuse it, we have no choice but to follow suit.

I guess you booed when Tom Court came on the last day? He was capped by the A's before he ever played for Ulster.

What about O'Gara, born in America, or Sheahan born in Canada? What limit do we place on ourselves?

Amazotheamazing

RickyHatton wrote: »

Fitz can play 13 as well don't forget that. And IMO Fitz will certainly be world class Lievermont even said he was europes biggest prospect and was shocked he wasn't starting in the 6N. He is only 20 and is already running rings around defences.

What you mean these days? BOD has spent half of this season injured yes but usually his injuries are short term. Hes had hamstring problems and there was the lions injury as well but if anything he has simply been unlucky

I don't think Mafi would make NZ at all. I think O'Gara is delusional if he thinks that.

The problem with Fitz isn't his attack, it's his defence, and his tendancy to lose concentration and drift out of games.

You do realise Mafi plays 12? There is interchange between himself and Tipoki, but primarily he plays 12, not 13.

Amazotheamazing

RickyHatton wrote: »

I don't think Mafi would make NZ at all. I think O'Gara is delusional if he thinks that.

Really, weird, O'Gara trains with him every day, and has said he's one of Munster's main players, but you have greater insight? Arrogant much?

Size=everything

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Do you think Fitz will be a good 12?

If Fitz is good enough (and I think he will be) then he won't have to worry about getting ahead of what you consider an inferior player.

Your missing the point if Mafi is there then a player loses out this has a knock on effect right down to Ireland A, Ireland U20s etc. for emerging talents.

I'm not a huge fan of the residency rule, but if other nations use it and abuse it, we have no choice but to follow suit.

I guess you booed when Tom Court came on the last day? He was capped by the A's before he ever played for Ulster.

What about O'Gara, born in America, or Sheahan born in Canada? What limit do we place on ourselves?

Lets not get ridiculous now. They have lived here most of their lives and have come through our youth systems. They are homegrown players

Podge_irl

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

To be honest, he just seems like a stronger, faster d'Arcy.

Faster maybe, but D'Arcy is exceptionally strong.

The set up for the try against Wasps in Coventry showed lovely passing from Mafi, iirc.

One swallow etc. I've seen D'Arcy make some sublime passes, but he is still a reasonably poor distributor of the ball.

O'Gara said Mafi is one of the best 12's he's ever played with, and said, in his opinion, he would be an All Black by now if he played in NZ. I guess you'll dismiss that too?

Mafi was not even a regular bench player for the Canes when he left (not that long ago). I dunno if he's really in the style of centres NZ go for though.

He's clearly a decent player. I think he would be on the fringes of the squad (22), but not first choice by any means. He wouldn't suit the Ireland backline as much as he does the Munster one. I dislike the residency rule however - at best it is too short a time - and that's more the reason I wouldn't want to see him lining out for Ireland. Given BOD and Darcy's tendancy to get injured, he probably would end up getting a couple caps if eligible as well. However, this is all academic. There was talk of the ruling possibly being changed, no more and tbh I don't see it happening any time soon.

Amazotheamazing

KERPAL wrote: »

Well Rog is hardly going to say hes ****e and wouldnt make the NZ team, they are teammates.

No way would Mafi be playing for NZ, NOT A CHANCE.

Why not, he'd already been capped at underage and 7's. Seems to me he was well on his way, especially when you consider Mauger, McAllister and Evans moving on.

KERPAL

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Do you think Fitz will be a good 12?

If Fitz is good enough (and I think he will be) then he won't have to worry about getting ahead of what you consider an inferior player.

I'm not a huge fan of the residency rule, but if other nations use it and abuse it, we have no choice but to follow suit.

I guess you booed when Tom Court came on the last day? He was capped by the A's before he ever played for Ulster.

What about O'Gara, born in America, or Sheahan born in Canada? What limit do we place on ourselves?

As i stated in a previous post, if the player has been brought up throught the Irish rugby structure then not a problem no matter where hes from, as it will compliment that structure. I dont think its right someone who is paid big money to play here get the oppurtunity to play for our National team aswell after a few years at it.

And i think fitzgerald has a better chance at 12 than mafi on the international stage, as fitzgerald will get bigger and better, mafi wont develop as much.

Size=everything

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Really, weird, O'Gara trains with him every day, and has said he's one of Munster's main players, but you have greater insight? Arrogant much?

Do you seriously believe Mafi would be playing for NZ?

More than likely O'Gara was asked ''do you think your teammate Mafi would make the NZ squad?" its not like O'Garas going to go "No because he is not good enough!"

Amazotheamazing

RickyHatton wrote: »

Your missing the point if Mafi is there then a player loses out this has a knock on effect right down to Ireland A, Ireland U20s etc. for emerging talents.




Lets not get ridiculous now. They have lived here most of their lives and have come through our youth systems. They are homegrown players

Not really, if Mafi is Irish qualified, then he is an option for Ireland. If the guy behind him isn't better than him then that's his issue, not Mafi's.

I don't see how it impacts on us, especially when you consider at the minute we're forced to play a fullback, Duffy, at 12 for our A team. Fact is Mafi has played top level HEC against some of the best teams in Europe, we can't just dismiss that type of player, especially when we are forced to play fullbacks at 12.

KERPAL

RickyHatton wrote: »

Do you seriously believe Mafi would be playing for NZ?

More than likely O'Gara was asked ''do you think your teammate Mafi would make the NZ squad?" its not like O'Garas going to go "No because he is not good enough!"

+1

Amazotheamazing:
ROG IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT

Amazotheamazing

RickyHatton wrote: »

Do you seriously believe Mafi would be playing for NZ?

More than likely O'Gara was asked ''do you think your teammate Mafi would make the NZ squad?" its not like O'Garas going to go "No because he is not good enough!"

How do I know, I know O'Gara has played pro for 10 years, and has toured with the Lions twice. I'm sure he recognises a good player when he sees one. Feel free to dream you know more than him though.

Amazotheamazing

KERPAL wrote: »

+1

Amazotheamazing:
ROG IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT

Of course, but he has a greater insight than you.

KERPAL

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

How do I know, I know O'Gara has played pro for 10 years, and has toured with the Lions twice. I'm sure he recognises a good player when he sees one. Feel free to dream you know more than him though.

Mafi would not be here if he had a chance of playing for NZ

KERPAL

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Of course, but he has a greater insight than you.

You dont know what insight i may have

Size=everything

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Not really, if Mafi is Irish qualified, then he is an option for Ireland. If the guy behind him isn't better than him then that's his issue, not Mafi's.

I don't see how it impacts on us, especially when you consider at the minute we're forced to play a fullback, Duffy, at 12 for our A team. Fact is Mafi has played top level HEC against some of the best teams in Europe, we can't just dismiss that type of player, especially when we are forced to play fullbacks at 12.

I would not like to see our future players losing out on valuable experience that will help develop them as players for someone who is only average, not homegrown and won't be around for too long.

I think its a complete slap in the face to the Irish youth system, the young players and all those involved bringing in a player who is here playing for money and hasn't been in the irish set up at all.

You bring in Mafi, Trimble goes to the A's and loses out on experience then you have an emerging talent playing on the As losing out to Trimble and going back to U20s then an U20s player losing his spot. This impeeds the development of our homegrown talents for a player who won't be around for any great length of time

Amazotheamazing

KERPAL wrote: »

Mafi would not be here if he had a chance of playing for NZ

Now you can read his mind?

Why did McAllister leave then? He was an established player. As was Howlett, Collins, Haymans, Evans, and now it seems Carter will go.

Face it, the All Blacks jersey is losing some of it's luster. Players are drifting to the NH in the same way they did in soccer 20 years ago.

Amazotheamazing

KERPAL wrote: »

You dont know what insight i may have

Do you think it's as much as O'Gara? That's a fairly tall order.

Amazotheamazing

RickyHatton wrote: »

I would not like to see our future players losing out on valuable experience that will help develop them as players for someone who is only average, not homegrown and won't be around for too long.

I think its a complete slap in the face to the Irish youth system, the young players and all those involved bringing in a player who is here playing for money and hasn't been in the irish set up at all.

You bring in Mafi, Trimble goes to the A's and loses out on experience then you have an emerging talent playing on the As losing out to Trimble and going back to U20s then an U20s player losing his spot. This impeeds the development of our homegrown talents for a player who won't be around for any great length of time

What if the Irish players aren't good enough? I'd love if all the local lads were good enough, but the simple truth is they aren't. Guys like d'Arcy have had loads of chances to show they can make the grade.

KERPAL

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Now you can read his mind?

Why did McAllister leave then? He was an established player. As was Howlett, Collins, Haymans, Evans, and now it seems Carter will go.

Face it, the All Blacks jersey is losing some of it's luster. Players are drifting to the NH in the same way they did in soccer 20 years ago.

They all had a few shots at the WC and in the end decided to cash in on their careers.
Lets not be idiotic here, unless Mafi is a true professional,which i believe he is, one who aims to get the pinnacle of his career, then if he could be playing for NZ, he would be back in an instance.