Eligibility rule idea / discussion (again)

[adamkungl]

Rather than 1 change per World Cup cycle, which confuses fans, lowers credibility, and is open to exploitation, I think 1 country per World Cup cycle is a better idea.

I don't believe it would be in the best interests of the sport, with it's current reach and distribution of players, to force 1 nation for life.

Also I think we should stay away from the idea of tiers or dual eligibility. This puts 3 countries above all others in the rulebook, and even with some benefits, it basically leaves smaller nations with the leftovers, putting a solid ceiling on their growth. A credible sport does not directly advantage specific individuals, clubs, or countries.

1 nation per cycle is a compromised version of that. It gives more stability, credibility and clarity while allowing some flexibility that a growing sport currently needs:

At the start of each cycle, directly after the WC and before the first tests by any nation are played in Year 1, EVERY registered player nominates their country or if no nomination is placed they retain their previous country, which defaults to country of birth. Newly registered players must nominate immediately, or get default.
Players are locked to that country until the end of the next RLWC final.

Simple, effective.

Thoughts?

 

[Scubby]

5 Year residency is a must
SOO games not requiring player to declare for Australia - just qualifying under existing state rules

 

[adamkungl]

5 Year residency is a must
SOO games not requiring player to declare for Australia - just qualifying under existing state rules

I'm not overly concerned about the first.
I'd rather more games and money for small nations convincing players to not switch to Aus, rather than a rule banning it.

You are right on SOO. Selfish from the ARL as usual.

 

[Scubby]

I'm not overly concerned about the first.
I'd rather more games and money for small nations convincing players to not switch to Aus, rather than a rule banning it.

You are right on SOO. Selfish from the ARL as usual.

I've said on another thread the Origin/Pacific thing is never going away. It is only going to get worse and worse with the huge number of Polynesian players pouring into NRL first grade.

Making the World Cups bigger and introducing a Confed Cup in the intervening years should make more players make the decision Joey Leulia has.

On residency, Eng, NZ and Australia could come to a consensus that they will never pick a player on residency due to them hosting the only two fully professional comps in the world.

 

[Perth Red]

If you aren't eligible and aviable for qualifiers you shouldn't play in the RLWC or 4 nations finals. Simple.

 

[spinnerhowland]

REMOVE THE GRANDPARENT RULE!! Having a grandparent doesn't give you any recourse in living or working in a nation, only parents. If someone is a citizen of another country, and live in that country, and still needs to apply for a visa to travel to their "heritage nation", cannot live or work there, and is not entitled to apply for a passport, then why are they allowed use a single grandparent to represent that country?

 

[Pommy]

REMOVE THE GRANDPARENT RULE!! Having a grandparent doesn't give you any recourse in living or working in a nation, only parents. If someone is a citizen of another country, and live in that country, and still needs to apply for a visa to travel to their "heritage nation", cannot live or work there, and is not entitled to apply for a passport, then why are they allowed use a single grandparent to represent that country?

I believe you only need one grandparent to get a Pom passport. Although I don't think you should be able to play for a country further back than your parents.

 

[latingringo101]

1 Nation per world cup cycle does make more sense then the current system we have at the moment, but it should be only open age team selection.

For example, if someone is holding out for test selection for Australia and SOO but don't get picked for 4 years, that shouldn't stop them playing for another nation if they have declared their allegiance to Aus.

The rule should ONLY come into effect when they actually play for that country.

 

[adamkungl]

1 Nation per world cup cycle does make more sense then the current system we have at the moment, but it should be only open age team selection.

For example, if someone is holding out for test selection for Australia and SOO but don't get picked for 4 years, that shouldn't stop them playing for another nation if they have declared their allegiance to Aus.

The rule should ONLY come into effect when they actually play for that country.

Disagree.
I think with more loopholes and more complexity, comes more exploitation and confusion than benefits.
We need stability and legitimacy, but aren't ready to go the whole hog on One Nation For Life yet.

Players "holding out" for Aus selection leads to a number of unpleasant scenarios.
1. Confusion over who is eligible for who
2. Smaller nations getting leftovers from Aus and NZ
3. Aus and NZ picking young players just to lock them in for the next 4 years on the chance we need them (see Sione Mat'auitai for example)

My idea has players picking and sticking for at least a reasonable period, before Australia can get their grubby mits on them.
A key point of it is that the player nominates well before any tests are played.

 

[RL The greatest game]

If you aren't eligible and aviable for qualifiers you shouldn't play in the RLWC or 4 nations finals. Simple.

Correct.