Milford the Sneak

[Foreign Legion]

The Samoan struggle
The move by Wayne Bennett to stop*Anthony Milford*from playing for*Samoa*this weekend caused a huge ruckus in the rugby league world. But we've been told it's all a ploy from the master coach, who is protecting his young player. Milford doesn't want to play for*Samoa*and has his eyes on an Aussie jumper in the Four Nations and a Maroons shirt in Origin next year. But the 21-year old Brisbanite doesn't want to offend or disappoint his heritage, so Bennett is taking the heat in the media and saying it's his call. It's water off a duck's back for Wayne.


http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_21835-off-the-record-rugby-league-rumour-and-gossip-34.html

 

[some11]

In other news, water is wet.

-> International forum

 

[AnAccountant]

Yes, this is known to all.

The only people blaming Bennett are those with a severe case of tall poppy syndrome, who will use anything, despite how untrue it is to take a shot at Bennett / Broncos.

 

[Pete Cash]

This isn't a big deal to me. Milford is actually Australian born. I'm sure he had a few laughs representing his heritage in the rlwc but he wasn't seriously going to be playing for Samoa long term.

 

[POPEYE]

Nonsense to criticise Benny for supporting Milford but he would be disappointed if you didn't . . . at our age it's not good to be out of sight out of mind

 

[catweasel]

Milford - Future immortal...that is all.

 

[nick87]

This isn't a big deal to me. Milford is actually Australian born. I'm sure he had a few laughs representing his heritage in the rlwc but he wasn't seriously going to be playing for Samoa long term.

agreed. I couldnt care less.

Truthfully i think the rep rules for nations like Samoa should be that he's eligible for both all the time. If he makes the Australian team (which he will for almost every game for the next 10 years) he plays there, if he misses selection he gets to turn out for Samoa

 

[Bobby DIGital]

This isn't a big deal to me. Milford is actually Australian born. I'm sure he had a few laughs representing his heritage in the rlwc but he wasn't seriously going to be playing for Samoa long term.

Yeah that time he said he was homesick, then went to the UK for a month with a bunch of strangers/new friends.

 

[Perth Red]

Man up wimp, youre Australian, you should have no right to play for Samoa lol.

If you do t hold a passport of that country you shouldn't be eligible to play for it, easy solution.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

Here's a radical idea: how about we let Milf play for whoever the f**k he wants to play for

 

[carcharias]

Here's another radical idea
Make merkins play for the correct state and country.

 

[Perth Red]

For once we agree

 

[TheDMC]

Old Turncoat Tamou doesn't have an Aussie passport cause he is too tight to spend the $$ on it.

 

[Perth Red]

The United Nations Kangaroos would be a more apt brand.

 

[langpark]

The Samoan struggle
The move by Wayne Bennett to stop*Anthony Milford*from playing for*Samoa*this weekend caused a huge ruckus in the rugby league world. But we've been told it's all a ploy from the master coach, who is protecting his young player. Milford doesn't want to play for*Samoa*and has his eyes on an Aussie jumper in the Four Nations and a Maroons shirt in Origin next year. But the 21-year old Brisbanite doesn't want to offend or disappoint his heritage, so Bennett is taking the heat in the media and saying it's his call. It's water off a duck's back for Wayne.


http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_21835-off-the-record-rugby-league-rumour-and-gossip-34.html

That's not it at all!!! He's being a coward and not committing to either for the time being! That way, if he's too crap to play for Aus by next World Cup, he can opt to play for Samoa instead.

Basically, a cute girl has asked him out, and instead of giving her an answer, Daddy has stepped in and said he forbids them to go out on this particular date. However, should the prettier girl that he's got his eye on, not come knocking, you can be sure he'll go running back to this current girl, who will surely still want him. Get it?

 

[Scubby]

That's not it at all!!! He's being a coward and not committing to either for the time being! That way, if he's too crap to play for Aus by next World Cup, he can opt to play for Samoa instead.

Basically, a cute girl has asked him out, and instead of giving her an answer, Daddy has stepped in and said he forbids them to go out on this particular date. However, should the prettier girl that he's got his eye on, not come knocking, you can be sure he'll go running back to this current girl, who will surely still want him. Get it?

Lol at the analogy but that is pretty much it. I believe the reason Joey Leilua isn't playing this year is because he wants to keep his origin hopes open but wants to play for Samoa in the World Cup. If he switches he can't go back but if he doesn't get picked for SOO no-one is any the wiser and he will rock up for Samoa next year.

Is this basically what SOO has come to now?

 

[deluded pom?]

Lol at the analogy but that is pretty much it. I believe the reason Joey Leilua isn't playing this year is because he wants to keep his origin hopes open but wants to play for Samoa in the World Cup. If he switches he can't go back but if he doesn't get picked for SOO no-one is any the wiser and he will rock up for Samoa next year.

Is this basically what SOO has come to now?

I'm sure 'spud will be along to explain that no one has to switch to play SoO. No-one is tied in to a different nation until they actually play for that nation. Therefore there's nothing to stop Leilua playing SoO and then repping for Samoa at the WC.

 

[Rhyno]

I've lost all respect for Milford and Wayne

 

[Scubby]

I'm sure 'spud will be along to explain that no one has to switch to play SoO. No-one is tied in to a different nation until they actually play for that nation. Therefore there's nothing to stop Leilua playing SoO and then repping for Samoa at the WC.

I know this but it is not what the players on the ground are being told by the likes of Menninga, Kev Walters, Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler. Let's face it all they care about is Origin and I am certain when making themselves available for Orgin they have to sign something tying them into Australia. Now that piece of paper may be worthless as the RLIF rules say you can do both. But these are young players listening to influential figures like Bennett and the clan mentioned earlier.

State of Origin used to be a pumped up Australian trial - this was normally followed a few weeks later by a 3-test series against NZ or Ashes series against GB. That was then. Now it is a trial for nothing - it is an entity in its own right - so it doesn't need a ridiculous phantom tie in. Just pick your best origin qualified players and enjoy the show.

 

[langpark]

I've lost all respect for Milford and Wayne

Me too and I was a big fan of both 'til now!