Switching countries for RWC

thomond2006

Was a thread on this before?

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/ex-all-blacks-confirm-pacific-island-switch-6039491

Many ex All Blacks, Wallabies or ex NZ/Aus Sevens players will make themselves available for Pacific Island countries where they hold that country's passport. Hopefully this will improve the quality of those sides and make the group stages more competitive.

pickarooney

I can imagine it having the opposite effect. There goes the last barrier to Islanders declaring for Aus/NZ with the knowledge that they can have a second crack of the whip with their home countries if they fail.

Dravokivich

A change in eligibility laws, put in place due to the inclusion of rugby sevens at the Olympics, will allow players who have played test rugby at any level for one nation, to represent another if they hold that nation's passport.

Does Isa have an NZ passport?

Dravokivich

Dravokivich wrote: »

Does Isa have an NZ passport?

Well he's born and raised in NZ so I assume so.

CIARAN_BOYLE

thomond2006 wrote: »

Was a thread on this before?

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/ex-all-blacks-confirm-pacific-island-switch-6039491

Many ex All Blacks, Wallabies or ex NZ/Aus Sevens players will make themselves available for Pacific Island countries where they hold that country's passport. Hopefully this will improve the quality of those sides and make the group stages more competitive.

It was discussed previously in relation to steffon armitage playing for France.

former legend

I still can't believe the IRB will allow this.

thomond2006

former legend wrote: »

I still can're believe the IRB will allow this.

Big can of worms

thirteen.

Can't see it actually coming to fruition. But I wonder how fit Isa has been keeping :P

LeinsterDub

This : http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/17248/exclusive-steffon-armitage-eyes-world-cup-chance-with-france/

Why are the IRB doing this?

In fairness, if you hold a passport for that nation, you are a citizen of that country

CIARAN_BOYLE

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Why are the IRB doing this?

Because they had to allow it for to get olympic 7s.

former legend

Here's the actual regulation again:

http://www.irb.com/imgml/IRB/irbhandbook/IRB_Handbook_Online_EN/index.html#/136/

I think it's a pretty bananas interpretation that guys with senior caps from country A can then play senior rugby for country B just by turning out for the sevens team. I'll believe it when I see it tbh.

Swiwi.

former legend wrote: »

I still can't believe the IRB will allow this.

No choice FL. It was the IOC way or the highway. I like it: it's ridiculous that the likes of Bundee Aki can play for Ireland in 3 years, meanwhile some guy who played 1 test for NZ >5 years ago can't play for Samoa etc despite the heritage.

TBH the 6N have never liked the idea, despite previous proposals from SANZAR, whether it's true or not I don't know but it's always said the likes of Scotland and Wales are worried about losing more often to the Pacific sides.

the baby bull elephant

The team that looks like it could benefit most from this seems to be Tonga, could make their group a bit more interesting.

So this will only happen once? Then the players that shift will be bound to their chosen nation if they are capped?

Hagz

I'm of the opinion that if you decide to kit out for one country, then that's the only country you can play for.

former legend

Swiwi. wrote: »

No choice FL. It was the IOC way or the highway. I like it: it's ridiculous that the likes of Bundee Aki can play for Ireland in 3 years, meanwhile some guy who played 1 test for NZ >5 years ago can't play for Samoa etc despite the heritage.

I don't dispute that guys will be allowed play 7s for the second country, I just think people are taking it up wrong in relation to senior international caps.

locum-motion

Jeez, it's a pity that this rule wasn't in place a few years ago; Ireland could have given Isa Nacewa (1 cap for Fiji in 2003) and Paul Warwick (capped at 7's by Australia) a Sevens cap, and then had them available for the National side.

Teferi

Ah in fairness if that was the rule then then I think we would have seen Isa high-tail it back to New Zealand for an auld 7's cap and then an All Blacks cap.

Swiwi.

locum-motion wrote: »

Jeez, it's a pity that this rule wasn't in place a few years ago; Ireland could have given Isa Nacewa (1 cap for Fiji in 2003) and Paul Warwick (capped at 7's by Australia) a Sevens cap, and then had them available for the National side.

Cunning plan. Just a pity that you need a 7s team first...

19543261

Swiwi. wrote: »

Cunning plan. Just a pity that you need a 7s team first...

Are you implying we wouldn't make one just for Isa's sake? O:

CIARAN_BOYLE

19543261 wrote: »

Are you implying we wouldn't make one just for Isa's sake? O:

Im not sure isa has or had an irish passport

Podge_irl

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Im not sure isa has or had an irish passport

He was only here 5 years so would have just been eligible as he went home so even ignoring the fact he'd be an AB if this rule was in place it would be a non-runner for him to line out for Ireland anyway.

twinytwo

Swiwi. wrote: »

No choice FL. It was the IOC way or the highway. I like it: it's ridiculous that the likes of Bundee Aki can play for Ireland in 3 years, meanwhile some guy who played 1 test for NZ >5 years ago can't play for Samoa etc despite the heritage.

TBH the 6N have never liked the idea, despite previous proposals from SANZAR, whether it's true or not I don't know but it's always said the likes of Scotland and Wales are worried about losing more often to the Pacific sides.

Tbf if he had wanted to play for Samoa in the first he wouldn't have that 1 test for nz. The player makes his bee its only fair he is expected to lie in it.

For the record I'm against the idea of journey men/ foreign players being eligible to play for Ireland through residence

I wonder how quickly Ireland would have put together a 7's team

locum-motion

Swiwi. wrote: »

Cunning plan. Just a pity that you need a 7s team first...

Wouldn't have been a problem - and here's two more guys that agree with me!

19543261 wrote: »

Are you implying we wouldn't make one just for Isa's sake? O:

Deleted User wrote: »

I wonder how quickly Ireland would have put together a 7's team

locum-motion

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Im not sure isa has or had an irish passport

You don't need one.

Podge_irl wrote: »

He was only here 5 years so would have just been eligible as he went home ...

You're eligible after 3 years, not 5.

former legend

locum-motion wrote: »

You don't need one.



You're eligible after 3 years, not 5.

You're confusing IRB rugby requirements with citizenship requirements.

CIARAN_BOYLE

locum-motion wrote: »

You don't need one.

For the olympics you do so in order to take advantage of this loophole you do.