Playing rugby for 2 countries

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Putting Israel Folau's homophobia to one side, he has 73 caps for Australia but is now allowed to play for Tonga! Rugby really is a joke. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61603239

[blue matt]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

Putting Israel Folau's homophobia to one side, he has 73 caps for Australia but is now allowed to play for Tonga! Rugby really is a joke. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61603239

The change in World Rugby rules meant that from January 2022 a player could represent a different country after a stand-down period of three years and move to a nation of their, their parents' or grandparents' birth.



3 years seems a long enough time scale, if you are not getting game time ( or unwanted in Israels case ) then why not, along as both governing authorities agree of course

happens in netball aswell, in fact only a few years ago, someone switched from Australia ( best in the world and world champs ) to England ( mainly because she was back playing in England after a spell in Australia )

[The Bloop]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

Cricketers and footballers do it, so why not rugby players?

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

Cricketers and footballers do it, so why not rugby players?

What are the rules in football? I thought once a young player got a cap in a competitive match that was the country they played for.

[Rjk]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

What are the rules in football? I thought once a young player got a cap in a competitive match that was the country they played for.

I think it's 3 caps or something now, which I think is good.

Thething you want to avoid is the biggest nations taking all the talent from the smallest nations.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

The change in World Rugby rules meant that from January 2022 a player could represent a different country after a stand-down period of three years and move to a nation of their, their parents' or grandparents' birth.

3 years seems a long enough time scale, if you are not getting game time ( or unwanted in Israels case ) then why not, along as both governing authorities agree of course

happens in netball aswell, in fact only a few years ago, someone switched from Australia ( best in the world and world champs ) to England ( mainly because she was back playing in England after a spell in Australia )

I just don't like the idea. I know we have plenty of eg English born players playing for Wales in football, but for me, you choose once if you're qualified for more than one country then that's it. Being able to play for one country for a while (a long while in his case), then play for another country a few years later feels more like club football than international sport to me.

Happens in athletics too I believe, thinking about it.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

I think it's 3 caps or something now, which I think is good.

Thething you want to avoid is the biggest nations taking all the talent from the smallest nations.

3s not quite so bad

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

I just don't like the idea. I know we have plenty of eg English born players playing for Wales in football, but for me, you choose once if you're qualified for more than one country then that's it. Being able to play for one country for a while (a long while in his case), then play for another country a few years later feels more like club football than international sport to me.

Happens in athletics too I believe, thinking about it.

I think its a great idea in rugby. If the game wants to grow it needs as many international teams being competitive.

The economics of the Pacific Islands mean most of their players have to represent other nations as they can then earn the money to support their families. Once that's out of the way let them represent Tonga, Samoa, Fiji etc. There was a crazy stat on a rugby podcast I was listening to about the percentage of men from the islands that go on to be professional rugby players and it was insanely high.Them earning £700 a month over here equates to a good salary at home so it's too good to turn down.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

I think its a great idea in rugby. If the game wants to grow it needs as many international teams being competitive.

The economics of the Pacific Islands mean most of their players have to represent other nations as they can then earn the money to support their families. Once that's out of the way let them represent Tonga, Samoa, Fiji etc. There was a crazy stat on a rugby podcast I was listening to about the percentage of men from the islands that go on to be professional rugby players and it was insanely high.Them earning £700 a month over here equates to a good salary at home so it's too good to turn down.

That's a fair point, although Folau was born in and grew up in Australia.

[Rjk]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

That's a fair point, although Folau was born in and grew up in Australia.

Its interesting with the pacific islanders especially - almost as many tongans live in new zealand as live on tonga

[bigjoe]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

The change in World Rugby rules meant that from January 2022 a player could represent a different country after a stand-down period of three years and move to a nation of their, their parents' or grandparents' birth.



3 years seems a long enough time scale, if you are not getting game time ( or unwanted in Israels case ) then why not, along as both governing authorities agree of course

happens in netball aswell, in fact only a few years ago, someone switched from Australia ( best in the world and world champs ) to England ( mainly because she was back playing in England after a spell in Australia )

Brian Smith scored a try for and against Ireland. I think the Bachop brothers both played in an international game (not that unusual) but for different countries.

[Lither_1927]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

Putting Israel Folau's homophobia to one side, he has 73 caps for Australia but is now allowed to play for Tonga! Rugby really is a joke. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61603239

Joke of a rule that dilutes the meaning of international rugby

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

To be honest it's difficult to put that idiots homophobia to one side

[life on mars]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

He has his religious beliefs, we may not agree with them , but they are his beliefs ?

I'm sure a lot of middle Eastern and many other countries think and act the same way , including folk like the Palestinians who we symphtise with in thier struggles. ?

Is he homophobic or deeply religious.

Many Catholics think the same.

[Lither_1927]

Re: Playing rugby for 2 countries

He has his religious beliefs, we may not agree with them , but they are his beliefs ?

I'm sure a lot of middle Eastern and many other countries think and act the same way , including folk like the Palestinians who we symphtise with in thier struggles. ?

Is he homophobic or deeply religious.

Many Catholics think the same.

The way main stream television celebrate sodomy is horrible