A year or so before rugby became an officially professional code, sometime in late 1994, I guess, I chatted with the chairman of the NZRU Rob Fisher about the implications of the change.
He told me that New Zealand and Australia would probably suffer, in terms of losing players to cashed-up England and France.
“But we have to push it forward to ensure the worldwide success of the game,” he said.
The IRB, to its credit, has put in place a smart and essentially fair system of ensuring the rights of players to ply their trade at the international level, without unduly compromising the nationalistic element that makes Test rugby such a fervent and passionate spectacle.
The main elements of this system are:
1. Once a player represents a nation at the Test level, he cannot play Test rugby for another nation.
This once-a-Wallaby-always-a-Wallaby rule (or once any other nation) rule stops the possibility of national sides buying great Test stars from other nations. Test rugby is saved by this rule from becoming like the England Premiership League where hardly any English players represent for the great clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and so on.
George Gregan, Richie McCaw and the other stars of the professional era have their chance to play over 100 Tests for their country rather than being bought off by the big offers from other rugby nations.
2. A player born in a country is automatically eligible to play for that country, if he wants to, even if he has lived somewhere else for most of his life.
You could call this the Brad Thorn rule. Thorn spent all his adult life inAustralia. But because he was born in Mosgiel, a small town near Dunedin, he was eligible to play for the All Blacks when he left rugby league and the Brisbane Broncos and joined up with the Canterbury Crusaders.
I reckon that 90 percent-plus of Test players represent the nation of their birth. And this is a good thing. Fans need to feel an emotional affinity, particularly through blood ties, with the players of the teams they are supporting.
3. If a player has spent three years playing senior rugby in a country, which is not where he was born, providing he hasn’t played Test rugby, he can represent the nation of his current residence.
This could be called the Taweru Kerr-Barlow dispensation. The Chiefs brilliant halfback was born in Darwin but has lived most of his life in New Zealand. He desperately wanted to be an All Black, so offers to play in Australia and consider a Wallaby jersey were rejected.
The Franks brothers, the stalwart All Black props, were born in Melbourne. They were both ‘warehoused’ by the All Blacks selectorsto stop them from playing for the Wallabies.
Something of the same thing was done by Robbie Deans with Quade Cooper, who was eligible to play for the All Blacks by right of birth. At the RWC 2011 tournament I saw a placard making this very point: “A DINGO STOLE OUR QUADIE.”
And this is where Mike Harris comes into the picture. He was not wanted for Super Rugby any of the five franchises in New Zealand. Ewen McKenzie made him an offer for the Reds which he couldn’t refuse.
He was right to take up the offer, as history now shows.
He got into the Wallabies because of injuries to any number of players and now he has won a Test by kicking a penalty from near touch on the bell against Wales, and helped the Wallabies to a memorable 18-18 draw against the All Blacks by kicking five penalties out of five.
Despite the protestations of the All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, Harris is a genuine Wallaby. He has qualified correctly and his performances in the gold jersey indicate that he respects the team and the system that has given him his chance at international play.
You could argue that this is the players get out of jail card. If they cannot see a way of representing the country of their birth or if they really want to represent another country or if another country wants them and their homeland doesn’t, this is the dispensation that gives the player the chance to change his rugby destiny.
It does work for Australian rugby better than it does for New Zealand rugby, as Hansen suggests. But he is wrong to use this as an argument against the rule. New Zealand rugby could have had Harris, if they had wanted him. They didn’t want him, not even for Super Rugby.
Increasingly, England and France are using this dispensation to beef up their teams. There are several New Zealanders and Islanders playing for England, for example. That is their choice, which is how it should be.
But this initiative by England (after Scotland’s ‘kilted Kiwis’ selections) is indicative of a hypocritical change of attitude by a number of the senior UK rugby writers. For years they have bagged NZ rugby for ‘stealing’ Pacific Island players. Now the England selectors are being begged to pick the eligible New Zealanders, Pacific Islander players, South Africans, anyone in fact who can strengthen the wayward England team.
We don’t hear the argument from these writers much now about the All Blacks being Samoa/Fiji B.
The fact is that not many players born out of New Zealand have represented the All Blacks in the professional era, about 15 or so. And most of these players, like Jerry Collins, came to New Zealand very young and were educated from primary school through in NZ and were New Zealanders in every respect.
On the other hand, there are probably 50 Zealanders playing international rugby right now for countries other than NZ. There were about 60 NZ players representing countries like Japan, Australia, Samoa, and Tonga at the RWC 2011.
The days of players like the great Des Connor representing the Wallabies and the All Blacks are over.
But in the modern era there is something to be said for a system that preserves the singular nature of Test rugby while also preserving the chances of players to play Test rugby, if a country wants them in their team.
rae1
Guest
Harris was never in the mix for the ABs so he went to a country that would have him,I dont believe Harris would have ever made the ABs even going on his form now he seems to be a one trick pony,I guess Hansen had a brain fart due to the stress of his fathers passing.Question: Didn't Brad Thorn play for EVERYONE?
Bridge
Guest
You got to remember that he has been here for 2 years, he didn't just walk in the door and straight to the wallabies he had to prove himself through the reds. He's said he choose to take the contact because NZ didn't want him, the grandparent clause was just a bonus.
Bridge
Guest
The same can not be said of Copper as he has lived in Australia since high school represented Aus schoolboys (has the most caps ever) He came through the system here in Aus so NZ should not care about him as he left years ago and I know that most NZ doesn't care that he is a Wallaby. He would never make it into the All Blacks either.
ABlacks Fan
Guest
Did you noticed the samoan fans and tongans as well, turned up in record numbers at the airport to welcomed their team? That set the toned of the whole tournament. To me, your argument got not facts in it. Those pacific fans change the atmosphere during the RWC2011...just saying
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
marina shaffhauzen is the matriach of samoan rugby..she and laauli alan grey (of aggie grey's hotel fame) funded manu samoa from their own pockets when samoa had no money..
DeanP
Guest
Irene Van Dyke? No special treatment? heh. Maybe, but only because netball has no due process. Fast tracked into the silver ferns, no period of residency or citizenship required. Then there is Sivivatu. Selected for AB trials even though not yet eligible. Made his AB debut while only in NZ on a work visa. Who's ya daddy now?
Bono
Guest
"Despite the protestations of the All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, Harris is a genuine Wallaby. He has qualified correctly and his performances in the gold jersey indicate that he respects the team and the system that has given him his chance at international play." I have just read your article in full Spiro, and I think you, like most have missed the point. Hansen wasn't talking about national representation, but rather was answering a question about the strengths/weaknesses of the nz talent identification system, with Mike Harris used as an example. He simply said that there is no issue with NZ's system as Harris had represented the u21's, an ITM Club and was in the Blues wider training squad. The fact is an Aussie club then decided to pick him instead of trying to develop their own players, like they have done so with many other new Zealand developed players over the years and Hansen stated the obvious. The fact is, with only five nz s15 teams, guys like Harris will slip through, but there really isn't a breakdown in the talent identification as was suggested by the trolling journalist .... What 's the bloody issue with what Hansen said? Isn't it a 100% correct?
Bono
Guest
IF, No offence, but if you don't know what the issue in question is, then I don't think you should comment on the subject.
Bono
Guest
Tbh, Harris is pretty average and I wouldn't select him in any nz s15 team. I think Hansen is more upset about losing Jason Woodward to the Rebels. That boy is all class and definitely a potential All Black...But thanks to Australia's poaching, he's most likely lost to nz rugby.
kiwiinperth
Guest
Climate
Johnno
Guest
Rugby Union this 1 country you pick you stick has helped international rugby growth massively, not harmed it. Unlike the circus of rugby league and cricket, where it is a globetrotting circus where you can flip flop from 1 country to the next knowing you can play for that country anywhere anytime has harmed it. heck i think you can go form Australia , then NZ, and England even. eg Tony Carroll. I don't even know if rugby league has cracked down on this issue with the top countries as there is no such thing asTier 1 or Tier 2 nations officially yet. Cricket and rugby league eligibiltiys are a circus if you ask me. Think Ed Joyce in cricket. Irish born and bread, went to play for England then flipped flopped back to Irleand, it becomes a farce. Best way is for cricket and rugby league is too stage for matches for developing nations, and then you get more locals of these countries playing, and also you get off cuts of players who wont back themselves to make the national team of there birth but have heritage links to other countries. -And the 1 country helps the small countries like FIji,Samoa,Tonga . For every Sivivatu,Manu Tuilagi, or Timani they lose. They also gain guys like Paul Williams, Khan Fhoutali, Anthony Perinsese, Kane Thompson, Nicky Little , types. Heaps of players that were developed in other countries but want a shot at a world cup , the PI nations pick up these type of players. So it evens out and overall favours the developing countries. If players could flip flop with a 3 year or 5 year gap, or over 30 gap, (you can't have a 2 year gap that destroys credibility), then rich countries would just but players form these countries top dollar for 3 years, then they comeback maybe to there country of birth 28 ,20, or well over 30 washed up, as they left knowing they could comeback but come back as washed up veterans. Small countries always will bleed players but will bleed far more and gain far less players form other systems eg (NZ production line factory), if the 2 country policy is brought back to rugby union. Was okay in amatuer era but in pro era where credibility is even more important 2 countries at senior level becomes farcical for players, and not just PI players. So many players in England,Wales,Scotland,Irleand, that have cross over heritage of each other as we see in cricket with Ed JOyce, and Eion Mrogan. It becomes a circus and farcical for credibility. Rugby union is on the right track with eligibility, cricket and rugby league are not, and it is no wonder there sports at international national team format are not growing as fast. As there eligibly rules, are farcical , with far less credibility than rugby union's comparatively. Rugby union is not 100% credible or perfect but far more credibly than Cricket's or rugby league.
atlas
Guest
Irene van Dyke? am I on the netball forum now? Anyway - a point of difference - IvD emigrated with her family, went through due process - no 'special treatment' (or fast-track Patricio-Noriega treatment) and five years later took out New Zealand citizenship That's commitment to the country. Meanwhile, an obvious example, one Quade C retains both NZ passport and citizenship even after 10 years - quoted in TVNZ News as 'hasn't got round to it'. Who's ya daddy?.
Post
Guest
Then Australia took the gamble on him and further developed to his skills by playing him in Super Rugby, and he now represents his new country. If, as many of you say, Harris still wouldn't see a black jersey anyway, why do you even care?
NC
Guest
Exactly. Well said BB. Out of character. Clearly a tough week for SH. O'Neill typically bars up because he knows he can't lose. No f***ing class at all. Could have just let it go.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
Wow - nothing beats censorship by moderation - where's my response to the above ? .. So what's the news rules ... Disagree with the SZ and your comments get wiped ?
Internal Fixation
Guest
If so many kiwis can adopt Australia for the centrelink payments, why can't one kiwi adopt Australia for legitimate employment? Maybe it's because that employment broke some sort of streak..... Irene Van Dyke anyone? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
IronAwe
Guest
6 years?? That's an entire career for some players. I don't understand why people have a problem with this. Let people play for who they want to play for. No one forces them to make these decisions. A better idea would be for the IRB to offer lower tier nations some kind of financial benefit to help keep their players.
2 Bob Billy
Guest
Wow, how insecure and small minded are these Kiwi's and guest workers!!! Harris is Australian... Get over it
sesenta y cuatro
Roar Pro
Dear Spiro, I usually agree with your point of views, but I am afraid this time it won't be one of those times. First of all, I have not got a problem with Quade Cooper playing for Australia or the Franks Brothers playing for the All Blacks. I have not got a problem with Brad Thorn playing league for Australia and rugby for New Zealand, although it would have made more sense if he had represented Australia in both codes. But this Harris affair is a different one. From the point of view of the player, he was born in NZ, grew up as a player in New Zealand, represented New Zealand in the age group categories and, due to the large amount of very good players in his area, he found the door was closed at Super Rugby level. It should be wondered why was that. I mean, just look at the Blues in 2011; having signed two very capable halfbacks from the Hurricanes and having a hole in the first five eighth position to be filled by young Anscombe. Who was the back-up 10 if Anscombe failed to deliver or had some injury? Even during the preseason, the Blues coach admitted he could be forced to play Weepu at 10 at times. Not a whole year after that, we've seen Weepu making an attempt to reconcile with Mark Hammet to go back to the Hurricanes, Anscombe is no longer an option for the Blues and Harris is already out of contention. That is what I'd call a very poor managing of own resources by the Blues franchise. So, here we are (I mean, Harris was), in a region very poorly managed, with plenty of talent to play for, and at some point he gets frustrated and Queensland offers him to play for the Reds. Ok, this is the chance. The Reds are at this moment a very better-managed franchise. He gladly joins them and it's an instant success as his boot clearly wins them a few matches early in the competition. It's a win-win solution, Harris has got the chance he was looking for, the Reds have got a talented first-five, second-five option to cover Cooper's absence and the guy kicks on his professional career. After that, the Wallabies see themselves as poorly in their backs stocks that Deans offers this guy who's somehow qualified to be eligible to play for Australia (something he may have even not considered until a few months ago) to play his first test for Australia. And the boy accepts it. At this point one must ask himself. Was there a chance for Harris to come back to New Zealand and play for a Super Rugby franchise? Probably just like there had been one for Daniel Braid. Was there a possibility to become an All Black? Perhaps. Who knows? Or perhaps not. With Ma'a Nonu, Israel Dagg, Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter, Richard Kahui, there's certainly some difficulties to make an All Blacks squad even if the franchise you are playing for is a succesful one. But clearly here, Harris turns away to what surely was in the back of his mind for the previous years and decides to look no further backwards. He's changed allegiances and there's no looking back. He accepts the offer, the money that comes with being an international and says farewell forever to New Zealand. So that's it. For the player it's a matter of being a professional player. Can you let those opportunities go begging? I doubt you can. I mean, has he got to wait until he's 28 before he can give up? Clearly Queensland and the ARU offered the guy the chance to become a fully professional player and that's what he's accepted. He's a professional who know is representing Australia. Mind you, he does not love the jersey. He has not, like a younger O'Connor may have, watched with joy Stephen Larkham's wonders, nor he has backed the Wallabies when they played against the All Blacks. He was on the other side!! But now, he's accepted the dollars and plays for Australia. Good on him. Good luck and may your career be full of success. So, that's what we have here. It's a matter of ARU buying talent. Where from? NZ. That's it. Do the Franks brothers come into the equation? Not at all to my understanding. Does Brad Thorn come into the equation? Probably a bit more. But I doubt a succesful career in league like the one Brad Thorn had enjoyed and then switching codes can be dubbed as "buying talent". Another two players that come to my mind are Sitiveni Sivivatu and Tendai Mtawarira. A young Sivivatu starred for the Pacific Islanders before he ever wore the black jersey. Was that buying talent? Probably it was. Tendai Mtawarira was a sensation in 2009, when all of a sudden we got to know he didn't even have full rights to play for South Africa, as all he had got was a work permit under which he was playing for the Sharks in Durban. Now, what I mean with that is that Australia is not special when it comes down to "buying talent". It is a practice that, as you say Spiro, is a consequence of professionalism. Fair enough. But stealing talent is stealing talent and the fact that we have come down to accept this as a side-effect of professionalism does not make it any different. Steve Hansen's got it right. Australia lack the depth to fill all the required 150+ players at Super Rugby level and they are buying them when and where they are thin on talent. You can blame Hansen of being one-eyed. You can blame the NZRU for expecting players of Mike Harris' qualities to remain quiet at ITM Cup level while some Super Franchises need them bad, but you cannot say that is not stealing talent or poaching players.
Chivas
Guest
And for the record, I think SH comments are bs.. If Australia can make better use of the players than NZ as is the case of Mike Harris, more power to Mike. I think he made a good decision that actually benefits him and rugby generally. My point is creating a franchise which can't be supported by internal infrastructures, which is the underlying comment made by SH, not addressed by Spiro, all for the sake of playing the aggrieved spokesman for Australian rugby supporters. A fickle man IMO.