Andrew Fifita snubs Kangaroos for to play for Tonga in World Cup

[Pommy]

Do you really need an explanation?

I can understand why you might not want him to play for Australia but not NSW.

 

[King hit]

Reagan Campbell-Gillard?

Lol.

Biggest plodder to play for Australia ever.

What a joke.

Haha no he isn't. He is a good young forward who has been in top form of late. I reckon he will do well. There have been plenty worse.

 

[Stallion]

Personally i think it is ridiculous players can switch between countries, Tedesco for example is now representing Italy and should never be allowed to play for Australia either , why does this happen in League only? how can a player be sweating to be picked for one nation , doesnt then goes ok ill go play for them instead, what if you dont have an ethnic extraction? then you are disadvantaged completely.

Anyway if League truly wants to have a respected international competition then pick which nation you want to play for and thats it....Italy, Tonga for example can field pretty decent teams now as will others eventually.

As for Taumolololoolo however way it is spelt and Fifita goes? i dont see what is wrong with that, they obviously feel a lot of passion for their heritage and want and see through an opportunity to lead the way for other Tongans to follow and i see no reason why they cant become a powerhouse....the NRL is changing quickly and there are plenty of players who can play for their island nations. Australia and NZ just have to find their own anglosaxons to fill the gap, again nothing wrong with that, in fact itll give other Aussies more opportunities as well and the internatonal competition flourishes, Australia and NZ are just too damn greedy.

Overall its a good thing for the world cup. Its creating interest and the minnow nations are not so minnow anymore!

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Wow!

I actually was disappointed for the Kiwis that they lost Taumalolo because the World Cup needs them to be competitive. Now that his decision has been made it is great to see Fafita join him. Are these guys turnign their back on Kiwi / Kangaroo money for this? If so that is even more impressive.

Tonga has certainly shortened in WC betting, at least for a semi-final spot. This tournament could be a big moment for RL in Tonga similar to what the 2000 WC was for Lebanon and 2008 & 2013 was for Fiji.

 

[adamkungl]

why does this happen in League only

Because League is ahead of the curve.

 

[Saintsified]

Overall its a good thing for the world cup. Its creating interest and the minnow nations are not so minnow anymore!

Spot on

 

[moffla]

Surely this means he's now ineligible to play for NSW...I mean it's clear he doesn't consider himself to be Australian, and the last I checked if you aren't Australian you can't play origin.

Obviously this is a pisstake, but it's exactly what these eligibility "rules" have become.

 

[Saintsified]

Because League is ahead of the curve.

lol

 

[adamkungl]

Surely this means he's now ineligible to play for NSW...I mean it's clear he doesn't consider himself to be Australian, and the last I checked if you aren't Australian you can't play origin.

Obviously this is a pisstake, but it's exactly what these eligibility "rules" have become.

People with overseas heritage quite often consider themselves more than one nationality.

 

[Pommy]

Surely this means he's now ineligible to play for NSW...I mean it's clear he doesn't consider himself to be Australian, and the last I checked if you aren't Australian you can't play origin.

Obviously this is a pisstake, but it's exactly what these eligibility "rules" have become.

Really?

 

[Stallion]

People with overseas heritage quite often consider themselves more than one nationality.

Very true!

 

[moffla]

People with overseas heritage quite often consider themselves more than one nationality.

True - and it's clear that Fifita is proud of his indigenous heritage, but rugby league rep eligibility is becoming far too skewed IMO.

 

[moffla]

Really?

"Obviously this is a pisstake"

 

[snickers007]

Overall its a good thing for the world cup. Its creating interest and the minnow nations are not so minnow anymore!

The RLIF needs to capitalise on it by scheduling meaningful test matches outside of World Cup years, to keep Fifita and Taumalolo with Tonga every year.

I'm not sure if money is an issue (both match payments and touring expenses) but I reckon they need to pony up and subsidise some of the emerging nations to help them tour.

 

[RockWheel]

The RLIF needs to capitalise on it by scheduling meaningful test matches outside of World Cup years, to keep Fifita and Taumalolo with Tonga every year.

I'm not sure if money is an issue (both match payments and touring expenses) but I reckon they need to pony up and subsidise some of the emerging nations to help them tour.

Every team at this world cup should play at least three full tests per season outside of world cup years.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

The soggy biscuit circle jerk-off has begun in Raiduh-town.

Yeah? How are the front row seats?

 

[adamkungl]

True - and it's clear that Fifita is proud of his indigenous heritage, but rugby league rep eligibility is becoming far too skewed IMO.

So many of these players would be sitting on the sidelines without dual-eligiblity. It would be a loss for the tournament and the game.

The RLIF needs to capitalise on it by scheduling meaningful test matches outside of World Cup years, to keep Fifita and Taumalolo with Tonga every year.

I'm not sure if money is an issue (both match payments and touring expenses) but I reckon they need to pony up and subsidise some of the emerging nations to help them tour.

It's up to the individual nations to schedule test matches each year, the RLIF is responsible for scheduling international tournaments and creating a healthy environment for the game to grow.

If Tonga fail to capitalise on this it's on them.

 

[Clarkent]

Wow!

I actually was disappointed for the Kiwis that they lost Taumalolo because the World Cup needs them to be competitive. Now that his decision has been made it is great to see Fafita join him. Are these guys turnign their back on Kiwi / Kangaroo money for this? If so that is even more impressive.

Tonga has certainly shortened in WC betting, at least for a semi-final spot. This tournament could be a big moment for RL in Tonga similar to what the 2000 WC was for Lebanon and 2008 & 2013 was for Fiji.

Yeah people don't realise these guys are sacrificing alot of money to play for the smaller nation... Good on them it goes to show how much there passion means to them to represent there family

 

[roughyedspud]

Its not alot of money when they already earn alot of money!

 

[Rhino_NQ]

sam thaiday is currently digging around for a tongan passport