Player eligibility

[RugbyReg]

As it's proposed I understand it's for everyone, the reason most of the mentions are about PI teams is the degree to which they fill the rugby diaspora, but smaller African nations like Namibia and Zimbabwe would likely benefit too.

Plenty of other sides would have an opportunity to pick up players, the difference is they wouldn't be drawing in either the volume or quality that the PI teams would, seeing them move back relative to these teams. That shouldn't be an argument against it from a world rugby perspective as it's essentially raising the quality of international rugby across the board, but these countries will almost certainly see it as a reason to vote against it.

If it were to be restricted by tier, the tiers have very clear definitions set by world rugby and teams have to be specifically promoted (or theoretically demoted) - Japan was the most recent addition to tier 1 and the only team outside the six nations/rugby championship.

I'm not sure where in world rugby's site the tiers are listed, but as far as I'm aware the wikipedia listing here is up to date:

List of international rugby union teams - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Kyle Godwin

 

[Wilson]

Kyle Godwin

Tendai Mtawarira as well, though I don't know he's got many games left in him. Who knows, that might even tempt Pocock out of retirement.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Anyone think there should be a limit to this? Like not able to switch if you've played 50 tests for one nation?

 

[Dctarget]

Anyone think there should be a limit to this? Like not able to switch if you've played 50 tests for one nation?

Yeah I’d suggest more like less than 15.

 

[Dan54]

Anyone think there should be a limit to this? Like not able to switch if you've played 50 tests for one nation?

Yep, think there should maybe some limits. I really like the idea, but worry about it having the opposite effect of young players that are basically fringe players having a crack for Tier 1 team knowing if they only get a few tests they can bale out and go back and play for Tier 2 country, and what happens if (and that a big if) say Fiji got back say Kerevi Koribete etc etc and then became a top 10 team say passing Scotland, Italy etc in World rankings, which is very possible, does it change their standings?
As I said I really like the idea, so long as very clear with rules . I do suspect the number of votes required will unfortunately stuff it up, but I keep fingers crossed.

 

[RugbyReg]

nup. I would love to see a stacked Tongan team. I don't see the point on limiting it. Imagine the impact on Tonga if Billy and Mako Vunipola could have a RWC for them? It would be epic.

 

[Jets]

Think if they make the change then it needs to be the same rule for all. The benefits for some countries having test experienced players in their squad would be huge. Tonga could field an outrageous team with some of the talent from other countries returned. This would mean more money for the Union and hopefully develop the game there, especially since League has become their national sport.

 

[Braveheart81]

It's frustrating that things that are of obvious benefit to players will be blocked by countries that won't see any advantage out of it.

 

[Wilson]

It's frustrating that things that are of obvious benefit to players will be blocked by countries that won't see any advantage out of it.

Particularly with 75% of the vote needed for this to get up, 14 votes against is enough to block it and the tier 1 nations have 3 votes each. If 3 or 4 of them are against it's basically dead on arrival.

 

[Braveheart81]

The top nations should support this. It will cost them nothing and they realistically have the most to gain if some nations like Samoa and Tonga become stronger and more marketable.

I can see why Argentina won't support it. They have nothing to gain and are strongly in favour of tougher eligibility criteria because they don't have the same sort of diaspora as other countries and have negligible inbound migrants from rugby countries.

 

[KOB1987]

I think there shouldn't be a limit on caps but also that it should only be one way. I can cop that Pocock might want to go and give Zimbabwe a leg up to play out his twilight years, but not that Mike AAA decides he made a mistake and wants to switch to NZ or Australia. Tier 1 to Tier 1 is an interesting argument though - residency might need to come into play there.

 

[Braveheart81]

I reckon the rule would have to be universal. Opens up potential discrimination issues otherwise.

Are there any rules currently that differentiate between tier 1 and tier 2/3?

 

[Derpus]

Yeah differentiating between tiers isn't the go. It's not an official ranking system is it?

Different rules for different classes tends to further entrench inequality.

 

[Dan54]

Seems there is nothing about tiers mentioned in the proposal!

https://www.reddit.com/gallery/qm10b1

 

[KOB1987]

it will be interesting to see how many Australians are in the USA side at the 2027 RWC. Hoilsey might even get a run.

 

[RugbyReg]

it will be interesting to see how many Australians are in the USA side at the 2027 RWC. Hoilsey might even get a run.

how many have US ancestry, which is needed under this proposal?

 

[KOB1987]

how many have US ancestry, which is needed under this proposal?

Ah OK, my bad.

 

[Dan54]

Now here's a boy whois going to be of dual eligibilty with no probs. I find it interesting when kids do this.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ from a Clan/ potential AB pov I especially liked the bit about how he's "...signed a high performance contract with the Highlanders that will likely see him graduate to a full Super Rugby contract in 2023 or 2024." A kid who's that big that young needs time to "grow into his body" as they say.

 

[liquor box]

Israel Folau wants to play for Tonga at 2023 Rugby World Cup

Tonga coach Toutai Kefu has revealed the former Wallabies star wants to represent Tonga if World Rugby approves changes to its eligibility laws.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Israel Folau could make a remarkable return to international rugby next year, with Tonga coach Toutai Kefu revealing the sacked rugby star has indicated he would like to play for the Pacific island nation if World Rugby votes to change eligibility rules later this month.

Kefu, the former Wallabies No.8, told the Herald not only would he pick Folau for Tonga, but that he had met with the discarded fullback to gauge his interest.

“We’d definitely be interested,” Kefu said. “We’re not in a position to bypass players of Israel’s calibre. We’d welcome him with open arms.