Then lets agree to ‘tweak’ the Resolution to

1. ‘Born in’ automatically Qualifies. Where Parent (not Grandparent) is a Non-National, then Player can play for the Parents Qualifying Nation-by-birth after a minimum of 5 Years residency and Passport in that country.

I can live with that. No Johnny-come-latelys without any 1st-Generation family connections.

Now, see, mediation can be a Win-Win situation.

I think it’s ok as it is, perhaps shouldn’t be a grandparent rule, parent makes more sense and residency period should be longer, 6 or 9 years.”

Sounds very reasonable.

First of all, you do not choose your country of birth. So, imagine, you have been born to your lovely Kiwi parents while they were on the stopover, say, in Mongolia. Finito, my friend, from now on you are forced Mongolian. No, thanks.

What happens to the unlucky ones, who were born at sea or in the planes? Most of the ships go under the flag of Panama, for example, muchas gracias, amigo, Panama will gladly use your service – no matter, you have never been there and have no intention to go there.

And finally – your family has emigrated maybe even fled your country, searching a new life elswere. They have found it, this is your new country. ****, you were an infant when you have arrived, so you have been disqualified and force to represent your old country.

Many former Ugandians (Idi Amin), North Koreans (Kims), Rwandians (genocide) etc. etc. will be more than happy to represent the country, they have fled from. No?

Ok, residency rules should be made more strict to curb blatant mercenaries offering their service. Not laughable 5 years. Let’s make them 10. Reasonable. Otherwise it is just pure punishing of innocent people.

My former class-mate was born in Cuba and spent there first days of his life. According to your logic, if he would have been a sportsman, he would have been forced to represent Cuba – completely irrelevant country to him.

Nonsense, really.

#40 WakaNathan: we’re going to get beat by 10-15 points

#37 WakaNathan: the players do have to be released for all tests under IRB reg. 9, the problem is the players pull out making up some excuse because of pressure to play for their clubs (see Ratavou this Autumn who has opted to play for Sarries).

The ‘born in’ criteria is too restrictive, I have a mate who was born in Spain, his English parents were on holiday there for a fortnight, should he only be allowed to play for Spain?

I think it’s ok as it is, perhaps shouldn’t be a grandparent rule, parent makes more sense and residency period should be longer, 6 or 9 years.

So, BH, whats going to happen at HQ ?

lol

But imagine, as per above, that the only that the IRB actually got their sh*t together, for once, and passed a Resolution to introduce the 2 simple Rules for International Rugby Union Tests.:-

1. The player must be born in the country of Qualification.

and

2. The player must be released by his Club for all Tests.

Obviously no2 is the clincher and, mostly for the Players benefit not the thieving Rugby Unions/Clubs and Sponsors, that would be limited to a Maximum (12 ?) Tests per year. For eg (but open to suggestions).

Then no1 comes in to play. Oh sweet Rugby Gods, allow it now.

The Boks, will start with Frans, JdV and Big Joe et al. Lose Beast, Changa and others (who ?). They also get countless others from Aus, France, UK, Japan etc.

The Fijians will call in their 270 wingers posted around the World, incl that idiot from WP (or is he a converted-prop ?).

The Samoans will get back so many from NZ, Aus, France, Japan, UK and will instantly and probably paste everyone from here to Apia and become RWChampions. Jerry Collins, R.Soaiolo get chucked in for good measure. But not Tana tho fellas, he’s still ours.

The Tongans get lots of hidden Giants that have been posted around the Rugby Planet speaking Kiwi. Not Jonah tho fellas, he’s still ours.

France. Well…theyll lose Benazzi, he’s still probably playing somewhere. They will lose a few other Moroccans, Algerians, Tahitians and Whateverans. And they wont get all the Argies, Kiwis, Romainans, Bokke, Poms, Aussies, Polys etcetra, that they might be tempted by.

The ABs get Howlett, Kelleher, Hayman, Jack, Mauger, Evans and all the countless others in Japan, UK, Fr, Aus etc. They lose Sivi, Soaiolo, Roko, Mils. No, not Nonu or Tialata (yipee ?!?).

The Paddys, well they get a few random guys from the Boston Celtics that can win the lineout ball that Paul O’Connell is falsely accused of. And smatterings of Englophiles hiding in London Irish, Bath etc. The fact they lose 1 player, Ronan O’Gara, actually strengthens them immeasurably – the Americans can have that one back (altho probably weakens theres too).

The Argies, well they get half of the Top 14 back, a third of the Italians like Parisse, along with Castrogiovanni, Hernandez, Pichot (come back Gus !), Maradona and Hugo Porta. And hopefully lots of future stars that play in the Super15 (a team based in Rio instead of the undeserving Melbournians and unworthy Kings).

The Poms. Well. Hmmm…..lets ask Big Hit to answer that one, altho he could be here a while on the ‘Lost’ column alone. He does get back John Gallagher (1 of the finest FBs ever). Jamie Salmon u can have, we’re happy to expunge him from our records. Otherwise your ‘Gain’ column will make for interesting reading.

What d’ya say, gentlemen ?

Ruck’n'Rugby Rock’n'Roll Footy Nirvana, Baby !

in mujati’s case, he is from zim. why would he be fixated on representing and serving another nations sporting interests when he might not be all that passionate about playing for SA. he was selected for his abilities, got some test experience and that helped his cause on the international club contract circuit. this scenario plays out in other big professional sports every day.

Sivivatu still travels on a Fijian passport. Would have thought 20 odd years was enough time to learn the anthem and become a citizen??

and gain substantially more.

And then (incidentally, of course) I recall the likes of Vainikolo and Flutley. FULLY GROWN ADULTS, mind you.

“Huge no.” – Sivi, Roco, Mils, Toeiava. That’s 4 from 30 or something current squad players.

#23 WakaNathan: I think you forget Aus with their poaching of SA/Zimbo players and the huge no. of ‘born elsewhere’ players who have played for NZ. The rules are ok as they are, residency period should perhaps be doubled, or even tripled.