Nationality means nothing today

what annoys me in this day and age more so in sport is that no matter what you're country of birth is it doesn't mean you have to play for that country in rugby you got the the residents rule where if you have lived in say South Africa for three years and they say they would like you to play for them because they think you are good enough rather than play for yours country of birth who might not have even looked at you and it fast tacks you into international rugby I find it strange that players do it .not having a go at rugby in general but it seems it has always been at the fore front when it comes to players playing for country's where they weren't born .i know there are expections as like having a English mother or a Scottish father but I can never get my head around why players do this

what annoys me in this day and age more so in sport is that no matter what you're country of birth is it doesn't mean you have to play for that country in rugby you got the the residents rule where if you have lived in say South Africa for three years and they say they would like you to play for them because they think you are good enough rather than play for yours country of birth who might not have even looked at you and it fast tacks you into international rugby I find it strange that players do it .not having a go at rugby in general but it seems it has always been at the fore front when it comes to players playing for country's where they weren't born .i know there are expections as like having a English mother or a Scottish father but I can never get my head around why players do this

It's simply because the IRB (International Rugby Board) does not promote expansion of the game. South Sea Islanders play for their Islands out of pride and no financial incentive, whereas, playing for the All Blacks ensures financial gain.

New Zealand use those Islands to poach and are not required to play away matches in the Islands, I don't think NZ have ever played a match away at Samoa, Tonga or Fiji even though they are neighbouring islands just shocking there is no will to make the game stronger in other countries

what annoys me in this day and age more so in sport is that no matter what you're country of birth is it doesn't mean you have to play for that country in rugby you got the the residents rule where if you have lived in say South Africa for three years and they say they would like you to play for them because they think you are good enough rather than play for yours country of birth who might not have even looked at you and it fast tacks you into international rugby I find it strange that players do it .not having a go at rugby in general but it seems it has always been at the fore front when it comes to players playing for country's where they weren't born .i know there are expections as like having a English mother or a Scottish father but I can never get my head around why players do this

It's simply because the IRB (International Rugby Board) does not promote expansion of the game. South Sea Islanders play for their Islands out of pride and no financial incentive, whereas, playing for the All Blacks ensures financial gain.

New Zealand use those Islands to poach and are not required to play away matches in the Islands, I don't think NZ have ever played a match away at Samoa, Tonga or Fiji even though they are neighbouring islands just shocking there is no will to make the game stronger in other countries

If that is true, that is quite shocking, ThomasC

Blooobirds Forever !!!

what annoys me in this day and age more so in sport is that no matter what you're country of birth is it doesn't mean you have to play for that country in rugby you got the the residents rule where if you have lived in say South Africa for three years and they say they would like you to play for them because they think you are good enough rather than play for yours country of birth who might not have even looked at you and it fast tacks you into international rugby I find it strange that players do it .not having a go at rugby in general but it seems it has always been at the fore front when it comes to players playing for country's where they weren't born .i know there are expections as like having a English mother or a Scottish father but I can never get my head around why players do this

It's simply because the IRB (International Rugby Board) does not promote expansion of the game. South Sea Islanders play for their Islands out of pride and no financial incentive, whereas, playing for the All Blacks ensures financial gain.

New Zealand use those Islands to poach and are not required to play away matches in the Islands, I don't think NZ have ever played a match away at Samoa, Tonga or Fiji even though they are neighbouring islands just shocking there is no will to make the game stronger in other countries

If that is true, that is quite shocking, ThomasC

Blooobirds Forever !!!

doing a bit of research

The first game NZ will play in the south sea islands will be on July 8th ...Truly a disgrace and the reason why Rugby is stagnating with realistically only 4-5 nations capable of winning a WC

Then on July 8 next year New Zealand play Samoa in Apia. One could say that it is an ideal warm-up to begin their Rugby World Cup preparations. But one could also say that it is guilt getting the better of the Kiwis at last.
For it is quite remarkable that New Zealand have never been to Samoa (or indeed Tonga or Fiji) to play a Test. Neither have England, Australia or South Africa been to Samoa, but that is not necessarily the point.

link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... visit.html

I would never give up my welsh heritage to play for another country it's happening a lot in cricket as well but we don't have a Welsh team as we only have one county and we are members of the English and Welsh cricket board I can understand Wales players having to play for England in that situation but they must wonder could they get a Welsh team together because there are a lot of Welsh players in county cricket

One New Zealander played for Wales because his step dad was Welsh, couldn't make it up !

What's your stance on a number of footballers who have lied about their grandparents to qualify for a country who's team they can get into

What's your stance on a number of footballers who have lied about their grandparents to qualify for a country who's team they can get into

examples?

What's your stance on a number of footballers who have lied about their grandparents to qualify for a country who's team they can get into

examples?

Tony Cascarino and Pat Van Den Hauwe are two prime examples of my point

was interested in these so a quick google search.

"The FAI are satisfied that Tony Cascarino was always eligible to become a citizen of the Republic of Ireland and was, therefore, always eligible to play for Ireland

while the second example was illegible to play for all home nations apparently?


the grandparent rule isnt one that i agree with i have to be honest. But surely there isnt "a number" of people cheating the system, especially now, i imagine its a difficult thing to do.

I agree with what your saying I know there are a lot of situations which cannot be helped .whats get me is one minute you get a Samoan playing for New Zealand then after his career finishes he ends up back playing for Samoa lots of Irish players who had no chance of playing for England then found the loop whole that there great great grandad was Irish end up playing for ireland.then they go back to commentating on England games Andy towns ends always commentating on English games if England had shown interest in him he would never have played

What's your stance on a number of footballers who have lied about their grandparents to qualify for a country who's team they can get into

examples?

There caps should be taken off them .what made me laugh a few years was amir khans brother did not get into the British Olympic team or the English commonwealth team not sure which one it was but next thing I read is that he then decides to fight for Pakistan you either one or the other you can't be both but he's not the only one to do it remmber Shane howarth capped by New Zealand then claims to be Welsh gets capped by Wales pathetic

was interested in these so a quick google search.

"The FAI are satisfied that Tony Cascarino was always eligible to become a citizen of the Republic of Ireland and was, therefore, always eligible to play for Ireland

while the second example was illegible to play for all home nations apparently?


the grandparent rule isnt one that i agree with i have to be honest. But surely there isnt "a number" of people cheating the system, especially now, i imagine its a difficult thing to do.

Well you haven't done much of a search have you!!!!

http://www.theguardian.com/football/200 ... ry.sport12

as the article says, there were a number of players playing for Eire at the same time as Cascarino who also had question marks against their qualification

in Pat Ven Den Hauwes writes in his autobiography, "I will make it quite clear that, despite some articles claiming I had Welsh blood in me, I did not. No parent or grandparent - or even great grandparents - of mine were Welsh

So easy for us to judge individuals really, everyone has a different situation when faced with a decision to play for the greatest rugby team in the world and win a trophy I can imagine for someone who is under so much pressure to succeed it would be difficult to turn down. Just saying not every case is strait forward. Not saying I would play for anyone but Wales at all, just saying I don't really judge these people.

That's why passports shouldn't be given out like confetti. Turn up and handed a passport and you're sorted for life. People who are born in said country should only play for said country.

I'm English and was born at home in Steyning in England so should only be able to play for England but my mum is from Limerick in the Republic so I qualify to play for Ireland, how? f*cking hate the Irish and mum comes from a staunch republican family. If you're born in a country then that country and only that country should you be eligible for and none of this well my great great great great grandfather was born in Bongo Bongo land so that entitles me to play.

what annoys me in this day and age more so in sport is that no matter what you're country of birth is it doesn't mean you have to play for that country in rugby you got the the residents rule where if you have lived in say South Africa for three years and they say they would like you to play for them because they think you are good enough rather than play for yours country of birth who might not have even looked at you and it fast tacks you into international rugby I find it strange that players do it .not having a go at rugby in general but it seems it has always been at the fore front when it comes to players playing for country's where they weren't born .i know there are expections as like having a English mother or a Scottish father but I can never get my head around why players do this

It's simply because the IRB (International Rugby Board) does not promote expansion of the game. South Sea Islanders play for their Islands out of pride and no financial incentive, whereas, playing for the All Blacks ensures financial gain.

New Zealand use those Islands to poach and are not required to play away matches in the Islands, I don't think NZ have ever played a match away at Samoa, Tonga or Fiji even though they are neighbouring islands just shocking there is no will to make the game stronger in other countries

If that is true, that is quite shocking, ThomasC

Blooobirds Forever !!!

doing a bit of research

The first game NZ will play in the south sea islands will be on July 8th ...Truly a disgrace and the reason why Rugby is stagnating with realistically only 4-5 nations capable of winning a WC

Then on July 8 next year New Zealand play Samoa in Apia. One could say that it is an ideal warm-up to begin their Rugby World Cup preparations. But one could also say that it is guilt getting the better of the Kiwis at last.
For it is quite remarkable that New Zealand have never been to Samoa (or indeed Tonga or Fiji) to play a Test. Neither have England, Australia or South Africa been to Samoa, but that is not necessarily the point.

link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... visit.html

So how long ago did football stagnate??? Because realistically only 4-5 teams have a chance of winning the Football World Cup and it's been around a hell of a lot longer than the Rugby World Cup.............

what annoys me in this day and age more so in sport is that no matter what you're country of birth is it doesn't mean you have to play for that country in rugby you got the the residents rule where if you have lived in say South Africa for three years and they say they would like you to play for them because they think you are good enough rather than play for yours country of birth who might not have even looked at you and it fast tacks you into international rugby I find it strange that players do it .not having a go at rugby in general but it seems it has always been at the fore front when it comes to players playing for country's where they weren't born .i know there are expections as like having a English mother or a Scottish father but I can never get my head around why players do this

It's simply because the IRB (International Rugby Board) does not promote expansion of the game. South Sea Islanders play for their Islands out of pride and no financial incentive, whereas, playing for the All Blacks ensures financial gain.

New Zealand use those Islands to poach and are not required to play away matches in the Islands, I don't think NZ have ever played a match away at Samoa, Tonga or Fiji even though they are neighbouring islands just shocking there is no will to make the game stronger in other countries

If that is true, that is quite shocking, ThomasC

Blooobirds Forever !!!

doing a bit of research

The first game NZ will play in the south sea islands will be on July 8th ...Truly a disgrace and the reason why Rugby is stagnating with realistically only 4-5 nations capable of winning a WC

Then on July 8 next year New Zealand play Samoa in Apia. One could say that it is an ideal warm-up to begin their Rugby World Cup preparations. But one could also say that it is guilt getting the better of the Kiwis at last.
For it is quite remarkable that New Zealand have never been to Samoa (or indeed Tonga or Fiji) to play a Test. Neither have England, Australia or South Africa been to Samoa, but that is not necessarily the point.

link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... visit.html

So how long ago did football stagnate??? Because realistically only 4-5 teams have a chance of winning the Football World Cup and it's been around a hell of a lot longer than the Rugby World Cup.............

that's a fair comment but it is fair to say the competition is stronger overall at the group stages in football wouldn't you agree? Spain couldn't get out of their group as World Champions, could never envisage All Blacks failing at the group stages in Rugby, just impossible.

I'm ok with the grandparent rule. Personally, I had one grandparent that was English but only born there. He moved to Wales when he was young and became a miner up Cefn Fforest way. If I had the chance, I would still never want to represent England. That's just my stance. I don't hold it against others that change nationality, provided they give 100%. I expect that of every person representing my country though.

One recent incident I am a bit sceptical about is that taekwondo lad Aaron Cook who has switched nationality to Moldova simply to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games. He hasn't ever visited Moldova but their laws state that a person can earn nationality there with enough financial backing. That's not justifiable if you ask me. You should have some blood link or living link to the nationality you are choosing to represent.