Fijian Wingers switch to Union

[LeagueXIII]

When we get short sighted Aussie coaches taking over the smaller nations so they can get a contract back in the NRL can the please remember that it's not just about winning but also developing a few of the local boys who deserve a chance

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/02/16/why-sau-switched-to-union/

 

[deluded pom?]

Short sightedness in RL? Who’d believe it?

 

[deal.with.it]

Great article. Playing RL since u16s and switches to union to get a chance. The opposite to most 2nd tier teams

 

[earl park riot]

It’s always disappointing when we lose a player to union - all the more when they have started in league. Before the Catalans came along it happened regularly in France. But for every player lost in Fiji there are plenty flowing the other way. Glebe-Burwood have four Fiji-eligible players on their books in Ron Massey Cup, including Jowasa Drodrolagi who the club has brought over on a season-long visa. He’s a player who may well have been lost to union if he’d stayed. And he’s a solid player too having previously represented the Bati.
From all reports another Fijian will sign for the club this week or next, so will keep you posted. Disappointing re Sau but there are some positive stories too.

 

[Coastbloke]

The FRU apparently have a shedload of Fijians in their over rated comp.
If the FRL could get their sh!t together that would be another option for Fijian players to go to. Same with PNG players. ESL expanding by 2 teams could also benefit with some exciting Pacific players..

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Anyone who watched the Battle of the Bati last year would have seen how good some of the domestic players are, yet they were passed over for the Fijian side. The fullback was awesome and only got picked as a shadow. The only bloke who ho picked never played a game, although at least he has now been signed by Ipswich. They desperately need to get the team in the NSW Cup so these blokes can play professionally, get more experience at a higher level and hopefully move to NRL and SL teams. NSWRL still messing them around though.

 

[deluded pom?]

It’s always disappointing when we lose a player to union - all the more when they have started in league. Before the Catalans came along it happened regularly in France. But for every player lost in Fiji there are plenty flowing the other way. Glebe-Burwood have four Fiji-eligible players on their books in Ron Massey Cup, including Jowasa Drodrolagi who the club has brought over on a season-long visa. He’s a player who may well have been lost to union if he’d stayed. And he’s a solid player too having previously represented the Bati.
From all reports another Fijian will sign for the club this week or next, so will keep you posted. Disappointing re Sau but there are some positive stories too.

Positives there may be but this is about domestic Fijian players starring in a WC selection game and still getting overlooked. It sends out bad signals. Why bust a gut when the selectors won’t bother picking you anyway? Take the easier, probably more financially rewarding, union route.

 

[earl park riot]

Positives there may be but this is about domestic Fijian players starring in a WC selection game and still getting overlooked. It sends out bad signals. Why bust a gut when the selectors won’t bother picking you anyway? Take the easier, probably more financially rewarding, union route.

Jowasa Drodrolagi played in that same game for the domestic Bati side. He also represented the Fiji Bati in the 2016 Pacific Test match against PNG. So while I certainly take your point about Sau’s loss, Drodrolagi’s retention in league is a huge positive. He is 23 and will almost certainly represent Fiji again. Great player and a great young man.

 

[latingringo101]

It comes back to the heritage vs domestic selection debate. I think the whole Battle of the Bati is pointless unless you're going to pick a select number of domestic players. It was stupid how they did it last year and only 2 players from Fiji got picked for the WC squad.

Performances are important for national teams, but selecting say 3 or 4 guys from the domestic competition (if it is a relatively strong comp) wouldn't hurt a national team chances