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I’m all for international RL and can’t stand state of origin but statements like this make me cringe. The overwhelming majority of Tongan players weren’t born in Tonga and just think it would be better if we say that they want to play for their heritage and ancestral home.
And here we go with the " not born in Tonga nonsense again" you do know in this era basically 80% or more of Polynesians live overseas... They're just as much Tongan as the ones born in tonga
A child of Tongan heritage born in Australia or New Zealand aren’t Australian or New Zealander’s???
There is no clear line in the sand but there is a distinction that can be made. In the early 19th century Australians thought of themselves as British or Irish etc. Over time an “Australian” identity developed and now most Anglo-Australians don’t consider themselves British.
Nobody said they aren’t also Aussie or kiwi, it’s up to them. They may feel closer to one country over another or they may consider them self both.
I’m just wary of the past when islander players would only play their heritage teams when they where either just starting their careers or ending them using the Pacific island nations as stepping stones to Australia or NZ or even state of origin.
None of the Samoans in the Kiwis seem to be hinting at this - you'd need someone like Taupau to defect to get the ball rolling but he seems pretty committed to the Kiwis.
TBF, what is wrong with that? Lets say a player knows he's about two years away from making the Kiwis or the Roos and he can have two years with his heritage team. Worst scenario the team gets two years of a player probably at a higher level than what they can field, and best scenario, while he's in camp he gets convinced to stay.
