Eligibility-the offical word

[Gibbo]

http://www.rlwc08.com/news/article.asp?item=23

04/10/2007
The Rugby League International Federation has examined applications from players relating to eligibility for the 2008 World Cup commencing in Australia in October 2008.

As is accepted in international sports, players may satisfy eligibility for more than one nation by way of cultural background or by a change of residency.

The rules give the RLIF the right to allow a player one change within a period should the player be otherwise eligible to do so and should the RLIF deem the change appropriate.

The RLIF has determined that Fuifui Moimoi and Taneila Tuiaki would be eligible to play for New Zealand in the 2008 World Cup under the current rules without the need for any exemption, given that they have not played for Tonga since last year and that the World Cup commences on October 25 next year. Both have clearly stated their commitment to New Zealand for the World Cup and as such will be unavailable for any other nation.

After considering submissions on behalf of the players and from the New Zealand Rugby League, the RLIF has agreed that the players should also be allowed to play for New Zealand in the historic All Golds tour later this month and next week’s Test against Australia.

It was significant that the coach of Tonga, Jim Dymock, said he would not object to the players, who were also eligible to play for Tonga,playing for New Zealand.

“The rules clearly state that the RLIF has the power to grant an exemption and there were compelling arguments on behalf of the players in favour of a discretion being exercised in their favour. If the applications were denied it would have resulted in a restraint which caused significant hardship and a significant penalty to these players.”

The RLIF has also accepted a Samoan request that Nigel Vagana, Tony Puletua, and lafeta Paleaaesina be allowed to play for Samoa in the 2008 World Cup.

The players have strong cultural and family ties to Samoa but have previously represented New Zealand because of the lack of opportunity to play for Samoa in international competition.

“The World Cup is a chance for these players to demonstrate commitment to their heritage and the RLIF executive has accepted that position,” Mr Love said.

“The New Zealand Rugby League has added its support to their request.”

For further information please call:
John Brady
Pat Tsanis


(note; not sure if this had been stuck up yet and contact numbers deleted from post)

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

If the applications were denied it would have resulted in a restraint which caused significant hardship and a significant penalty to these players

Exactly

Something that everyone's favourite poster, Mr Spud, doesn't seem to care about

 

[Skinner]

Exactly

Something that everyone's favourite poster, Mr Spud, doesn't seem to care about

Something that he simply doesn't want to know about.....the Whinging Pom is
alive and well :crazy:

 

[nadera78]

Er what hardship? They wouldn't get a test match wage? f**k me is that what all of this is about? Wankers the lot of them! Whatever happened to pride in representing your country? Nah, sod it lets play for whoever picks us first!

 

[International RL]

I was against and still am against them being allowed to change.

However I will accept it on the basis they can't go back if they don't make the NZ team for the WC.

 

[hutch]

I was against and still am against them being allowed to change.

However I will accept it on the basis they can't go back if they don't make the NZ team for the WC.

ever! i dont think they should ever get to change, but if they do they should never be allowed to go back to representing the original country. and the 2 year rule (should be 5 year) should be enforced no matter what the circumstances are.

 

[International RL]

ever! i dont think they should ever get to change, but if they do they should never be allowed to go back to representing the original country. and the 2 year rule (should be 5 year) should be enforced no matter what the circumstances are.

Oh mate, you know me, I'm a massive hard liner on eligibility....

I guess I'm just tryign to find a silver lining here. I have to say it came as a relief when I fuond out they couldn't go back to playing for Tonga if they didn't make the NZ squad..that would of officially made it a farce, by somehow elevating the 'big 3' to some sort of level above the second tier nations in terms of eligibility, thereby forever rendering them to reserve grade rep status.

 

[deluded pom?]

So Moiomoi and Tuiaki would be on the bones of their ar$e if they didn't get to play for NZ! Why don't they push for an Aussie jumper. It has to be worth more to them financially to be a Kangaroo rather than a Kiwi. The whole thing stinks.

 

[roughyedspud]

Exactly

Something that everyone's favourite poster, Mr Spud, doesn't seem to care about

you're right i don't care about the players....

what do i care about? i care about the development of international rugby league and as long as the RLIF allow players who have already played international RL of 1 nation to switch to 1 of the big 3 then we'll be stuck with the big 3 like we have for 100 years...

the RLIF had 2 paths to go down last week.

1. blocked moimoi & tuiaki's switch,announce a 1 nation for life policy and commit to developing the pacific & celtic nations by implementing a proper schedule which would see them play more "meaningful" matches..

or

2. let them switch,which they did and that now leaves the eligibility door wide open,how can they refuse anyone??..just like they were sayind that moimoi/tuiaki should be allowed to switch because tonie carroll, willie mason,brent kite etc...all played for other nations,players will now say that moimoi & tuiaki were allowed,why can't i?? it's a vicious circle that needs stopping but the RLIF won't...why?? because the RLIF board are a bunch of self serving tossers...lets have some french or welshman on there..

 

[hutch]

Oh mate, you know me, I'm a massive hard liner on eligibility....

I guess I'm just tryign to find a silver lining here. I have to say it came as a relief when I fuond out they couldn't go back to playing for Tonga if they didn't make the NZ squad..that would of officially made it a farce, by somehow elevating the 'big 3' to some sort of level above the second tier nations in terms of eligibility, thereby forever rendering them to reserve grade rep status.

you're right i don't care about the players....

what do i care about? i care about the development of international rugby league and as long as the RLIF allow players who have already played international RL of 1 nation to switch to 1 of the big 3 then we'll be stuck with the big 3 like we have for 100 years...

the RLIF had 2 paths to go down last week.

1. blocked moimoi & tuiaki's switch,announce a 1 nation for life policy and commit to developing the pacific & celtic nations by implementing a proper schedule which would see them play more "meaningful" matches..

or

2. let them switch,which they did and that now leaves the eligibility door wide open,how can they refuse anyone??..just like they were say that moimoi/tuiaki should be allowed to switch because toni carroll, willie mason,brent kite etc...all played for other nations,players will now say that moimoi & tuiaki were allowed,why can't i?? it's a vicious circle that needs stopping but the RLIF won't...why?? because the RLIF board are a bunch of self serving tossers...lets have some french or welshman on there..

the two smartest threads on here. the game is more important than the individual, no matter who it is. thing is, we could be a thriving international sport with a schedule that includes all international teams, not just 3. but the people who run it do not seem to look at the big picture.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

That explanation was a load of rubbish. They're making the rules up as they go because the rules were a joke to start with and they didn't enforce them anyway.

The rule was supposed to be that a player had to stand down for 2 years. Now they're saying you can switch sooner if the WC is 2 years away. Moi Moi and Tuiaki did not stand down for 2 years, they have "stood down" for a year (because Tonga hasn't played for a year) and now they get to play for NZ because the WC is another year away. WTF? If they want to play for NZ at the WC they should have to stand down until then. They can't play for the Kiwis this year because they want to play next year.

The RLIF is a joke. It needs a full clean out. A new chairman, a new board and the rules have to be thrown in the bin and re-written. No GP rule, proof of eligibility, no switching countries unless under very special circumstances and serious penalties for countries that break the rules. Until that happens the international game is farked.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Er what hardship?

Being denied an international career...

You lot are on here talking up the importance of the international game and can't even recognise that screwing 2 players out of an international career is a bad thing for them

 

[roughyedspud]

Being denied an international career...

You lot are on here talking up the importance of the international game and can't even recognise that screwing 2 players out of an international career is a bad thing for them

screwing whole nations out of the international game is far far far worse....thats something you can't recognise.

don'y you want international RL to consist of more than 3 teams???

 

[International RL]

Being denied an international career...

You lot are on here talking up the importance of the international game and can't even recognise that screwing 2 players out of an international career is a bad thing for them

They can play for Tonga

 

[deluded pom?]

The integrity of the game of RL is far more important than how many Kiwi caps and how much money Moimoi and Tuiaki will get.

 

[Coastbloke]

The RLIF needs to be run from Paris and staffed and administered by professionals without a particular bias...

 

[ali]

Couldn't agree more. Get the cronies from the big 3 off the board.

For the record I do not agree with allowing the two Tongans to switch. The rules should be tougher and enforced. And there should be no exceptions!.

 

[hutch]

Couldn't agree more. Get the cronies from the big 3 off the board.

For the record I do not agree with allowing the two Tongans to switch. The rules should be tougher and enforced. And there should be no exceptions!.

could not agree more. i would love to see the rlif run from paris, leeds, auckland etc. anywhere but sydney, and with arl representation, not arl domination.

 

[bula_stormer]

Money Talks, thats sad, Feleti Mateo has put them all to shame.
But growing up all we watch is Australia v New Zealand, NSW v QLD so you ultimately are one or the other, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa in particular and other nations should be given regular coverage, we never get to see them play, we can only dream of being in the shoes of players we see on tv, in the jerseys we see on tv. I hope you guys get my point.

 

[hutch]

Money Talks, thats sad, Feleti Mateo has put them all to shame.
But growing up all we watch is Australia v New Zealand, NSW v QLD so you ultimately are one or the other, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa in particular and other nations should be given regular coverage, we never get to see them play, we can only dream of being in the shoes of players we see on tv, in the jerseys we see on tv. I hope you guys get my point.

we do, it is a great point. if only the rlif saw it the same way and organised more meaningful games for these nations which would be shown on tv. one day........