Rugby union is one of the greatest sports in the world and has a unique way of bringing all different types of people together.
However, one of rugby’s biggest flaws lies in its law book.
The actual law states that a native player who has been selected for a tier-one nation such as Australia, New Zealand and England cannot switch his allegiance in order to play for his homeland.
For example, a player like Israel Folau who was born in Australia and does hold an Australian passport but whose parents were born and lived most of their lives in Tonga, could not play for his homeland.
Folau’s parents – like a lot of other Pacific Islander people – moved to Australia because they believed that it would be the best thing for their family.
This rule needs to be changed.
An example of this law change being successful was evident in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Rugby league in the last couple of years has allowed their players in tier-one teams to change their allegiances in order to play for their homeland countries.
Players such as Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita both switched their allegiances from their respective tier-one teams in order to represent Tonga at the most recent Rugby League World Cup.
Andrew Fifita on the charge for Tonga during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Both these players had a massive impact on not only the people of Tonga but the entire Pacific Islander community, especially in Australia and New Zealand.
Fifita and Taumalolo both rejected up to $60,000 in order to play for their homeland, where the would be payed not even a fraction of what they would’ve received had they played for Australia or New Zealand.
The impact both players had was evident through the fact that Tongan fans flocked in their masses to support their national team. Even against New Zealand, Tongan supporters filled 95 per cent of the stadium even though NZ was the home team.
Tonga in fact pulled off one of the greatest upsets of all time, beating NZ 28-22 – the first time in history a tier-two team had beaten a tier-one nation.
This decision by both players helped make the actual tournament a lot more competitive, as usually top-tier nation would dominate and the same old teams would make the finals.
However this time it was different.
Post-tournament, many other professional players were determined to switch allegiances in order to make competition a lot more competitive and to inspire the young generations of footy players from their homelands to play for their country.
They didn’t have to play for the ‘big’ countries in order to make it to the main stage.
This simple change drastically expanded the game of rugby league and is something the governing body of rugby union should really consider doing in the near future as the World Cup is fast approaching, beginning at the end of this year.
All the world’s rugby union governing bodies must look at the impact that both Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita had on the league world, and think about the many other stars who could have the same effect if this law was introduced into the world of rugby union.
This could really work as almost half of all registered Super Rugby players come from a Pacific background and many of the world’s greatest teams like the All Blacks have a great number of Pacific Islander players in their starting line-up.
It would be great for the game as it would grow its global scale and make competitions a lot more enjoyable to watch as it isn’t just the same old teams winning and making the finals.
DonWan
Guest
It's true though. You're guaranteed two, maybe three winners out all the teams that play league at the world cup. It's honestly a joke.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The other related Law abused by Tier 1 nations is the one that locks a player into playing for the first country that selects them for a test, even if they no longer live there. Think for example Richard Hardwick. Born in Namibia and probably eligible for other countries as well. Cheika selected for two tests where he was given a total of 18 minutes on the field. He did very well but 18 minutes is nowhere near long enough to demonstrate he has what it takes. Never given another chance but is now prevented from representing any other country including his country of birth. The cynic in me thinks that he was only played to lock him in for Australia. He's by no means the only one, just an example.
Peter Bland
Guest
I am confused that the article refers to Tonga as Israel’s “homeland”. He was born in Australia to parents living for many years in Australia. The exteapolatiion of the definition used here is that for example, George Gregan should play for Zambia (half the time at least) and ONLY indigenous Australians should play for the Wallabies
Dave from Mt Druitt
Guest
Kick & Clap I'm not sure what you are on about. It is a known fact that ALL tier 1 rugby teams have players that are not born in the country they are representing including players not of pacific island heritage. The Wallabies and Kangaroos have selected a reasonable number of players recently not born in Australia. However the topic of the article is whether players that have not been selected in a Tier 1 team can be eligible for selection for their country of heritage. So please stick with the topic. The topic of teams selecting overseas players has been debated ad nauseum previously.
Wacko, I think you need clean you glasses? New Zealand have hand picked from RU Pacific Islands and don’t get me started on the Home Nations. As Jackie Charlton rolled out the book on oversea’s recruitment for England, Wales & Ireland? Honestly it’s total joke. At least Jackie said if you had Red Irish Hound & drank Guinness you were in? Where Wales & England got their’s from. Dover & Cardiff Docks!!
When you say Farce, I thought you talking about the Western Farce? This year they should be giving out “Red Noses” to the Crowd given there watching a Circus act.
Very True. Totally Agree. “If you nail colours to the mast” Hard Cheese. By the way Hunt & Folau are League player playing Union. Ben Te’o . Nothing to excited about. All can pass , Tackle & Catch. fundamental’s of both codes. Unfortunately in Yawion, not much catching or Tackling skills?
Not seen many Tonga’s, Fijians or Samoans in the North of England where real games played. Loads Pacific Islanders suddenly appearing in Ruggerland. I suppose that’s Sam Burgess fault. He got blame for the last WC fiasco. Toast Burnt it was his fault. Bus would’nt start it was his fault!! Going out was his fault, Still his fault, until Tansmanian Chinaman takes the the new blame!!
The Sheriff
Guest
The fact is that they did not play for the country they were born in. Folau, is a true blue dinky di Australian as are the RL players mentioned. The residential rules will be changed slightly this year I think but they have served Rugby well over recent times and allowed Pacific Islkand born players to earn some cash o/s and still play for the place of thier birth OR where they are residentially qualified.
soapit
Roar Guru
Ok then musta missed that one. Good move. Cor point still valid to
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Can't happen, change announced May 2017: Unions may no longer nominate their U20s team as their next senior national representative team (effective January 1, 2018)
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Interesting Stat that Kane, I certainly wasn't aware of that. I wasn't however referring to NZ but to PI players globally.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
A few points: 1. It’s a WR regulation (Reg 8) not law that regulates player eligibility 2. A player can change the country he represents provided (Reg 8.7) – he is a national (citizen) of the new country – he hasn’t played international rugby for at least 3 years – he qualifies through their Olympic team
Kane
Roar Guru
What about the 13 NZ born players at the 2011 RWC who played for Samoa? What about the 13 NZ born players at the 2015 RWC who played for Samoa? In the space of 5 years Samoa has used more NZ born players than the All Blacks have used Samoan born players in 120 years?
Kane
Roar Guru
"For example, a player like Israel Folau who was born in Australia ... ... could not play for his homeland." Wait, I'm confused. Where is Folau's 'homeland'? Is it where he was born and where he calls home? Is that not where he currently plays rugby and who he currently represents?
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Israel Folau who was born in Australia and does hold an Australian passport................. could not play for his homeland. So Australia is not his homeland? Even though he was born here?
Unanimous
Guest
The English don't generate 40% of the revenue. One team on its own is not a viable product. No one pays to watch England unless they are playing against someone else. The six nations teams competing with each other generate the massive amount of money, no single team on it's own does. A lot of it comes from people who live in England and France, but they are paying to watch Wales, Ireland, etc. play. All sporting competitions spread the revenue across the teams because they recognise that the value comes from multiple teams competing with each other. No one in their right mind calls this a subsidy. It's just distributing a fair share of the revenue. With one off tests, money is not shared. No wonder a majority of teams would now prefer to play in a comp.
soapit
Roar Guru
especially when you have countries using their u21's as their b team. the warehouses get overloaded with a new crop of players each year who may never likely play for the nation they are then locked into
soapit
Roar Guru
yeah honestly if you have a decent stand down period to stop players shopping themselves around (id make it 5 years so the same as for residency) i cant see any reason why you cant play for a second country.
Stone Maka
Guest
All of the above are the truthness of what the pacific nation fans want for their team to change the rules but this is One way of all bigger Nations to help the economy of our 3rd world country. However NZ, Oz, and England knew if the PI players leaving them to represent the country of their ancestors their Money will follow them too.