Growing up knowing you are a little bit different can be challenging.
My last name is a dead giveaway. Both my parents were born overseas, my dad in a small village in Greece called Neapolis and my mum in a small village in Cyprus called Monagroulli.
My mum and dad both arrived in Australia as children. My grandparents packed their lives into small suitcases and boarded a boat for several months to come to Australia for a better life for their children. Given the limits to technology, I wonder if the thought even crossed their mind as to whether they would see their parents again.
When I was younger I was a little bit embarrassed to be Greek. I was forced to endure Greek school on a Saturday for several years, followed by Greek dancing. I remember going to weddings and parties and rolling my eyes when the circle dancing began.
I’m a lot older now. Don’t tell my parents that I’m grateful that I went to Greek school, because it means I have a second language and a really special relationship with my grandparents because I can communicate with them. I also love Greek dancing and celebrating that part of me that makes me me.
There’s also something really special about when I get to go back to Greece and Cyprus. It’s not home, but there is something that pulls me back there.
I’m a proud Greek Australian. I’m proud of where I came from and proud of where I live now.
So what has the above got to do with rugby league?
Surprisingly, quite a bit. Especially this week.
In a boost for international rugby league, this week it was announced by Penrith Panthers player Brian To’o that he will represent Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup. When To’o made the announcement he told the media that he would be “playing for his family”.
My view is that the story should have stopped there and turned into a conversation about the upcoming World Cup and how Samoa may actually beat England in the opening stages of the tournament.
But the conversation continued.
There are different eligibility requirements depending on whether a nation is considered Tier 1 or Tier 2. Currently To’o is able to play State of Origin and elect to play for Samoa, which is considered a Tier-2 nation.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Some media commentators have suggested that the decision by To’o is an example of him having his cake and then eating it too.
In the past, State of Origin has acted as a selection series for the Australian Kangaroos. Some are upset because To’o may have been picked for Australia following his Origin performances.
With respect, my response to commentators like this is that they are the ones who want to have their cake and eat it too.
While State of Origin may have been a selection series for the Kangaroos in the past, considering how little the Kangaroos play, the series has become so much more than that. Additionally, many players have been picked to play for the Kangaroos without playing Origin, which also illustrates the role that the NRL competition plays in selection.
State of Origin is an event that brings our country together. People who have very little interest in rugby league tune in to State of Origin because it is considered the pinnacle of the sport.
This equally applies to children who were born in another country and come to Australia when they are young or children who were born here and who have strong ties to their cultural heritage.
Why on earth would we want to make players choose? Why would we not want players given the opportunity to celebrate where they live now and also their link to their own cultures?
It’s extremely myopic and speaks of rugby league in such an Australia-centric way.
The growth of the international game is a wonderful opportunity, and this should be celebrated.
What’s even more ridiculous about this debate is how well the current system is working and how much depth we are now seeing in the international game.
We have the benefit of watching Tier-2 nations go from strength to strength and a brilliant State of Origin series with some of the best talent in the game.
By forcing players to make a choice between playing for a Tier-2 nation and for their families and their cultures and playing for their state, some players will choose the former. That will diminish the talent available for State of Origin and may even mean a weaker product. If players choose the latter, it will harm international rugby league and likely mean that the only competitive nations will ever be those Tier-1 nations. To me that’s a little bit boring.
There’s also an undercurrent to this debate that unsettles me. In the media this week we’ve heard from a lot of white people. They are absolutely able to express their opinions, but it’s not their opinion that I am really interested in. I want to hear from Brian To’o and our other players who have strong links to their heritage. I want to hear his story and understand why wearing a Blues jersey may be just as important to him as wearing a Samoan jersey.
At its heart sport is about inclusivity. No matter who you are, you should feel welcome in our game. I want to celebrate our players and also give them the chance to play for the countries that continue to mean so much to them.
Danny
Guest
Why is it when high class superstar status players decide to chose tier 2 nations over aus, nz, england..... Having players eligible to play tier 2 nations and remain in the origin was always suppose to benefit aus but because players are chosing otherwise it's become a issue.. Now what does Nrl/arl do.... Try change it so that it can benefit aus rugby only and push back island nations... :angry:
Redcap
Roar Guru
Rugby league's got enough useless parasites without Morrison.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
I'll have a chat to ScoMo when he gets on the NRL board and get this mess sorted out
Redcap
Roar Guru
But they should and can, and will continue being able to do so, regardless of what you think.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
why shouldn’t it become Tier One Mary? Players today are full time professionals – the PI players playing in the NRL / Eng SL follow the same strength training, nutrition, injury prevention & recovery, attack & defensive plays as any white honkey playing in the NRL who will represent Oz. the only time a Pasifica team may suffer in an International game is if that players club team doesn’t release them for International duties. If International games are held at end of year i.e. October – they have the same time to gather for training as a group as would the Kiwi or Kangaroo teams. They are being branded as Tier 2 nations because they don’t have an NRL team based in Suva / Nukuʻalofa or Apia. Rankings 1/ NZ 2/ Tonga 3/ Eng 4/ Aust – maybe Aust should be a Tier 2 nation now? https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/tonga-move-above-england-in-rugby-league-world-rankings/
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
and those who say they will not represent Australia should not play Origin
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
the Pasific Island teams are NOT LONGER Tier 2 nations (as long as at full strength), it is demeaning to continually call them so. So To'o - playing for your heritage - good on ya, and you should then kiss Origin goodbye
The Barry
Roar Guru
Of course we care about the Kangaroos. Why should a player who qualifies for Queensland and Tonga or NSW and Samoa be forced to play for Australia…?
100%
Well said Mary! Well said!
mushi
Roar Guru
Being reflective isn't contrived. And sport is boring from giving punters what they want. Outside of union, SOO is the only meaningful annual rep contest I know of. Difference is people watch SOO Other comps around the world try to get people to pay passing attention to these games
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure we need to compare league to other sports. Obviously for a cricket player national honours are far more important than state ... but I think Lewis and Beetson would have statues at Lang Park even if they'd never been picked to play for Australia. I spoke to an old school friend once who told me he didn't particularly enjoy playing for Australia .. he had a NSW room-mate who wouldn't speak to him ... and of course some Qlders just as bad if not worse ... this is why Test football can often be clunky, and in my opinion not that interesting ...In Rugby Test matches and World Cups are the peak ... in League club and Origin is the peak for most players ... and that's fine .. I enjoy both ...Of course we now have the rise of the Pacific Nations which has added new life to International football and like many I can't understand how the rep round games can be shelved!!! ... We live in a modern mobile world where asking someone where they come from is a very complex question that a lot of young kids would have a lot of trouble answering with any clarity .. league should be as flexible as possible to allow players to play for any country they identify with ... I think Australia has a huge responsibility as the most privileged nation in the region to put the sporting interests of our neighbours first ... and if it cost a World Cup , well that would be a very small price to pay
Redcap
Roar Guru
A player can't be compelled to play for Australia if he prefers Samoa, like To'o. That might backfire on him later, but he's free to choose. Neither Walsh or Ponga have played international league to date, but they do have to choose between Oz and NZ, though neither has to play for any team they don't want to.
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
What I don't get is if he gets selected by Mal doesn't he have to play ? I thought he could play for tier 2 if not selected, much like technically Lattrell saying he wasn't available to play for the blues is a breach of contract. I personally don't care but walsh and ponga could both play for the kiwis but had to choose
The Barry
Roar Guru
Origin is still part of the Australian selection pathway, and a massive part of it. It’s not being put aside As of the end of this series 41 players will have played Origin and as far as I’m aware there are two (To’o and Tupou) who wont be available to represent Australia at the World Cup. That’s not damaging any sort of Australian pathway… Where is the integrity damaged? To’o was born and raised in NSW. That fact 100% satisfies the Origin eligibility rules. He’s eligible for Samoa in a completely separate competition by heritage rules - which pretty much every international sport has. Nothings been changed. Nothings been compromised
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree Origin is all about passion about where you come from. It’s the AND statement I don’t agree with They’re not one and the same. Guys like To’o, Tupou, Staggs, Tino and Coates represent their state with every bit as much passion as the rest of the players out there. Are you suggesting they don’t? Are you suggesting you can’t be a proud Blue AND a proud Samoan? Or a proud Queenslander and a proud Papua New Guinean… that’s just baseless and ridiculous The Origin eligibility rules are pretty tight 1. Were you born in NSW / Qld 2. Did you reside in NSW / Qld before you were 13 3. Did your father play Origin If you answer yes to those you’re in. Whether you go on to play for Australia or Samoa has nothing to do with it…
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yes, they can have both (I assume you meant can't) - good thing too. So by your logic, any player who has or might conceivably represent another nation (Ponga, Papalii, Coates, Kaufusi) is automatically out of Origin. Given the rules enable dual eligibility you can't force them to choose, unless you want to enact some form of inquisition to weed out the impure ones (kind of sounds like you do, BTW).
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am hardly shocked. Where do they want to represent. It is not hard. They can have both
chud
Roar Rookie
Maybe... just maybe... given the great changes in Australian society and rugby league since 1980... (when origin began)... Maybe... despite the high ratings and Ch9 hyperbole... maybe SOO is not the pinnacle of rugby league moving forward... maybe the concept of NSW VS QLD... has been outgrown by the popularity of the sport for people who don't necessarily identify with either of those states but love rugby league... this is not to downplay the huge part SOO has played in the rise in popularity rugby league amongst all fans... just saying that the concept of 'NSW Vs QLD'... may or has become less relevant to many rugby league fans and I imagine it will continue to do so... regardless of eligibility criteria... this just reflects the growing international diversity of the game in both players and spectators
Muzz
Guest
They can be based in Sydney. Play x amount of games overseas. It will happen one Dufty day.