James Tamou - allegiance

[Blair]

I think for him personally he made the right decision.

Although controversial, the pull of playing Origin is so strong over here, and particularly for someone who began early in the state system, playing footy with your mates, going through the grades and dreaming of pulling on the Blues (or Maroons) jumper.

It's bigger than test football, we all know that. Tamou wasn't the first of course, nor will he be the last. There's thousands of kids (either NZ born or with an NZ born parent/s) playing league in Australia and, with Origin getting more and more hyped every year, it's got to be accepted that they'll be starry-eyed in that direction.

Hopefully most will go to NZ, but the reality is some will go to NSW and Qld, and therefore Australia.

Players like Benji Marshall made his decision and it was a good one. He's a stand-out Kiwi, but it's obvious that deep-down he'd have loved to have been in Blue (or Maroon), just once maybe! He's coming across as frustrated, bitter and unpleasant, and more than a little outdated, with his 'Tamou doesn't look or sound Australian' comments.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Except he never was 'dreaming of pulling on the Blues jumper', up until about two weeks ago he said it would be a dream come true to pull on the Kiwis jumper. All it does is cheapen a NSW and especially an Australian jersey, so good luck to them.

 

[hitman82]

Haha, the only thing this guy is dreaming of is a pay packet. His own words: "it was a career decision".

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I hope they have St John Ambo on hold for Friday, Blood will be shed.

I hope Tablow has Life Insurance

 

[jamaman]

I hope he can remember the Game!

 

[whole lotta hoopla]

If he doesn't want to play for the Kiwis now then why would the Kiwis want him ever??? Would he have made the Kiwi team anyway? So might as well move on and forget about him...

I mean I could understand Tony Williams being selected from nowhere last year, he was in top form, but Tamou? Seriously, is he that good?

I always thought the Aussies were loyal to those who had done the job before. Tamou's selection is more about SOO than anything. You can't tell me is one of the best forwards going around right now. Petero not being there for the Kangaroos only helps us anyway.

And so what if the Melbourne spine is there, they won't have the rest of the Storm team around them and the Kiwi's will be right in the game.

 

[whole lotta hoopla]

GO the MIGHTY KIWIS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Juju]

And so what if the Melbourne spine is there, they won't have the rest of the Storm team around them and the Kiwi's will be right in the game.

You for real with that point?
The rest of the melbourne team are basically the job squad.
The Melbourne VS Australia squads are like Mazda vs Ferrai.

Aussie should definitely be heavily favoured for this game.

 

[hitro]

I agree he just wants the bigger pay packet, makes sense on one level but you can tell he feels stink about it too. What's the bet if/when Sonny Bill goes back to league Nasser will be trying to play everyone off about origin to get extra money?

 

[Blair]

I hope they have St John Ambo on hold for Friday, Blood will be shed.

I hope Tablow has Life Insurance

Then that will be a good rehearsal for SOO. I hope the hits are clean.

On this point, I'm always keen to discuss NSW-based NSWRL/ARL/NRL playing Kiwis who, if eligible, would've made the Blues squad.

Mark Graham would've been a cert, but I can't think of many others from that trailblazing generation who would have. Olly Filipaina couldn't even make first grade most of the time. There was no way Clayton Friend was unsurping Sterling. Not sure Whizz would've played but he was a strong candidate.

A bit later, there's little doubt Ridge would have played at some stage, ditto Craig Innes.

Later, Sonny-Bill and Marshall were certainties.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Foran and Nightingale would easily make it. Blair, Smith and SKD would have in years past. McKendary won't be far off. Hoffman and Glenn would make a QLD side in a couple/few years.

 

[joseph1]

Adam Blair and Jeremy Smith would have in the last few years.

 

[joseph1]

Not to mention Isaac Luke.

 

[Micistm]

Meh, his choice, and IMO his loss. IMO he will regret it in the long run, but it is his choice. We've done our share of poaching too so I think we have nothing to bitch about in the moral dept.
Personally I could think of nothing worse than representing another country, and playing your homeland. Some don't have an issue and that is up to them.The eligibility laws need sorting once and for all though, they're an effin joke.

 

[Micistm]

I would however, LOVE to see one SBW go to league and become a NSW origin player (then ultimately Aussie). He's the sort of person who'd have no qualms in doing it

 

[Blair]

Meh, his choice, and IMO his loss. IMO he will regret it in the long run, but it is his choice...

At present, I don't think we'll know what he'll think in the future. However, if he becomes part of the Origin set-up he'll likely see it as a highlight of his life. I've never heard players like Carroll, Thorn, Mason or cutie mention anything about regret (although the latter is too young and daft for any thing like regrets).

Where you're born is an overused template for allegiance anyway. If it was used as a rule, we'd see big Frank Pritchard in blue/green n' gold for starters.

Chopping and changing isn't too good though.

 

[_addict]

I think for him personally he made the right decision.

Although controversial, the pull of playing Origin is so strong over here, and particularly for someone who began early in the state system, playing footy with your mates, going through the grades and dreaming of pulling on the Blues (or Maroons) jumper.

It's bigger than test football, we all know that. Tamou wasn't the first of course, nor will he be the last. There's thousands of kids (either NZ born or with an NZ born parent/s) playing league in Australia and, with Origin getting more and more hyped every year, it's got to be accepted that they'll be starry-eyed in that direction.

Hopefully most will go to NZ, but the reality is some will go to NSW and Qld, and therefore Australia.

Players like Benji Marshall made his decision and it was a good one. He's a stand-out Kiwi, but it's obvious that deep-down he'd have loved to have been in Blue (or Maroon), just once maybe! He's coming across as frustrated, bitter and unpleasant, and more than a little outdated, with his 'Tamou doesn't look or sound Australian' comments.

In what way has he made the right personal decision? Career-wise, or character-wise? I think this case is a clear cut decision between one or the other.

Haha, the only thing this guy is dreaming of is a pay packet. His own words: "it was a career decision".

Well That answers the question above really doesn't it. Has career, but loses character, or is maybe very confused about people in his ear

I agree he just wants the bigger pay packet, makes sense on one level but you can tell he feels stink about it too. What's the bet if/when Sonny Bill goes back to league Nasser will be trying to play everyone off about origin to get extra money?

If he feels stink about it then he shouldn't do it. It indicates he knows it's wrong but does it anyway.

Except he never was 'dreaming of pulling on the Blues jumper', up until about two weeks ago he said it would be a dream come true to pull on the Kiwis jumper. All it does is cheapen a NSW and especially an Australian jersey, so good luck to them.

Yes. It does cheapen the jersey, and while I'm sure we're all okay about professional atheletes being paid while playing for their country, it's first and foremost about the honour of representing your country and not a mercenary exercise.

I hope he can remember the Game!

I hope he can't remember his own name.

By the way there's a recent article in SMH quoting his mum about the indecision.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-should-have-moved-faster-20120416-1x3tm.html

 

[ozbash]

I would however, LOVE to see one SBW go to league and become a NSW origin player (then ultimately Aussie). He's the sort of person who'd have no qualms in doing it

Never happen, SBW is a man of principle.

Tamou.deserves to be chaired. another cutie..

 

[Drzoidberg]

I can't believe where Tamou's family are coming from saying it was the Kiwis fault for not letting Tamou know where he was at or what to do quick enough, playing 'mind games' with him. To me being included in the 4 nations kiwi train on squad then not making the team, means your on the cusp and keep working hard and you'll get your shot, almost there sort of stuff.

would be a shame if he doesn't get picked again.

Agree he'll come to regret this.

But good luck to him. After hearing him talk I'm glad he's chosen the blues over us.

Should be the ultimate honor to play for your country in any sport, not a pay cheque.

 

[_addict]

BTW inclusion of Fien and Webb etc in the Kiwis never sat well with me either