Another kiwi turns back on his country for SOO $

[Perth Red]

SOO yet again damaging the int game. Shame the sport is so insular that it cares more about their state than their country.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/josh-papalii-rejects-kiwis/story-e6frg7mf-1226480345109

 

[Arucard]

He grew up in Australia and played all his rugby there. He has more claim to being Australian than the mercenaries Tamou & Teo.
We can all go mental if Kasiano defects to Australia...

 

[Perth Red]

Apart from playing for Jnr kiwis, having a NZRL passport and as recent as last year signing a declaration he wanted to play for NZRL plus starting his pro career in the act you are right he is pure queenslander! SOO is a joke. ruben needs to give the kid a big slap,

 

[deluded pom?]

Mission accomplished Mal.

 

[Arucard]

Ignoring the fact he played all his rugby in Australia and played rep for Queenslands age sides.
You would deny him a chance to play for a country he feels more attached to?
Im pretty sure we have had some Jnr Kangaroos play for us before.
He doesnt want to play for us so we dont need him. I will get riled up if Kasiano turns though.

Who knows, he might not be any good from next year on and will never play any rep rugby.

 

[hutch]

The bloke has every right to make his own decision without people such as meninga or tony kemp in his ear. He has links to both countries, he is not turning his back on 'his country' as you put it!

 

[Jimmy Wiggle]

If someone moves to a country at a young age the have every right to choose, i just wish they had no pressure from anyone and made the decision they thought was right for them

 

[adamkungl]

This ones a non-story...grew up in QLD. Stop clouding the real issue with shit like this.

 

[RedVee]

So he came over at approx 6, so all his RL and just about all his schooling done in Australia?
If that is the case I reckon he is perfectly entitled to choose Australia and SOO. Due to being born in NZ he had a choice, which he has exercised.

 

[Bovrick]

Being quite clear on this.

The guy has chosen Australia. He's perfectly entitled to do so.
The guy, excluding the money/Origin, showed he wanted to play for New Zealand. Which is was also entitled to select.

It doesn't take a genius to see what's wrong there. It's nothing to do with self-selection based on identity or whatever bs people use to justify nations these days.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

The butt hurt is strong in this one.

 

[Evil Homer]

No issues with his choice given the facts, but I thought Papalii said earlier in the year that he was 100% committed to the Kiwis? I remember him being mentioned in those stories about Taumalolo as another that Meninga had been targeting? If that's what has influenced his decision then it's a pretty poor state of affairs.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

Nothing more needs to be said than these quotes:

In March 2012:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...ong-to-be-maroon/story-e6frep5x-1226296393852

Papalii said he was humbled by Meninga's approach, but had to go with his heart.

"I know now ... I'm Kiwi 100 per cent," Papalii said."

"I went on a tour with Junior Kiwis a few months ago and the bond amongst the boys was too strong. There was a lot of love there amongst my brothers and it's something I'm desperate to be a part of again."

And then in September 2012:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226479831282

Critically, the Canberra wrecking ball admitted the fiscal reward on offer in the Origin arena, which could increase to $50,000 per game next season, is attractive.

"Anyone who says it's not about money is lying because it's a professional game these days," Papalii said.

Jeez, I wonder what changed his mind in those 6 months.....

 

[Evil_Mush]

Interesting, I heard a snippet of him talking to an Aussie reporter on the radio yesterday (presumably from press conference) and he seemed to dodge any suggestions of it being for monetary reasons (used 'just talked it over with my family' as the template answer for about 75% of the questions).


I don't have a problem as such with someone choosing one country over another when eligible for multiple nations (whether it's by birthplace, parents heritage, or residency), but when they explicitly say they are committed to one country then turn around and choose another for obvious $ reasons, then that just doesn't feel right.

 

[clarency]

The issue is not about which country he is entitled to pick.

It is about SOO's interference with international selection.

Continue.

 

[IanG]

Funny isn't it how all but 1 of the defectors have been in the Queensland side of the equation

 

[Glen from the Mount]

I have no problem at all with this. Obviously it was a difficult decision for him to make, but he's made it now and good luck to him.

 

[clarency]

You seriously don't have a problem with SOO (where someone from any country can qualify) funneling players into the Australian team and cutting them off from playing for other nations?

 

[Rebel]

Moving to Aussie at 6 and playing all of his junior football in queensland justifies his "Australianness" So that alone, is fine.

The problem is that he already agreed to play for the junior kiwis and has declared himself 100% Kiwi. You don't go from 100% kiwi to 100% aussie in the space of 6 months..



Unless of course you have a 50K carrot dangled in front of you.

 

[IanG]

I have no problem at all with this. Obviously it was a difficult decision for him to make, but he's made it now and good luck to him.

Pigs arse it was.