NZ Herald: RLIF approve massive Change to International Eligibility (Tier 1 & 2 Nations, Origin etc)

[Burns]

International league is headed for one of the biggest shake-ups in the history of the sport.

A radical eligibility proposal - which will change the equation for the nations outside the big three of Australia, New Zealand and England - has been approved by the Rugby League International Federation.

The Herald on Sunday can reveal:

• Eligible players can nominate one tier one nation to represent and one tier two nation.

• Players can switch between their two countries multiple times within a World Cup cycle.

• There is no stand-down between a change of allegiance.

• Players of Polynesian heritage can play State of Origin but still be available to turn out for their native island country.

It's a big move. League has always had a chequered history with eligibility - mainly due to the professional base of the sport being limited to two countries - but it feels like this is the best solution so far.

It's not perfect, but it's pragmatic. It will stop any unnecessary lockout of players from international football, as happened in the past when Polynesian players (in particular) had represented a major nation and then were not selected for the next campaign. It will also stop the major nations - intentionally or otherwise - hoarding the best talent.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=11711937

Well, there it is. We've had rumors of this for a while haven't we in regard to Tier 1 and 2 nations?

Immediate thoughts:

• RIP Northern Hemisphere Nations
• When does a team outside 'the Big 3' become a Tier 1 Nation...?
• Won't NZ and AUS just keep picking the best players from the Pacific Nations and leave them with the rest?

 

[hutch]

Rugby league: taking the easy option and looking for the quick fix since forever. F*ck this sport. Some positives, many negatives in this decision.

 

[deluded pom?]

I'll do the four nations (only because I'm already committed) and the WC next year then that's it for me with international football. A ridiculous scenario where a player can yoyo between two or more nations at will. The tier two (horrible expression) nations won't know who is available from one game to the next. We could see a player play several games for a tier two nation, help them qualify for a WC and then end up playing against them in the tournament proper. You can bet your bottom dollar that certain coaches will try to prevent their player(s) from playing for tier two nations whilst keeping quiet when the same player(s) is chosen for Australia. The international game is becoming even more of a laughing stock than it currently is.

 

[CC_Roosters]

Ridiculous. it just seems to have been designed to facilitate Australia, new Zealand the islands who have got tonnes of players who qualify for two or sometimes all of the above. I just don't get how the game continues to make baffling and complex short term decisions. this immediately relegates every European team to being 'third tier'. France and wales offer much more in terms of potential for the game but their competiveness has now been jeopardised to the point were they will beat each other but suffer a similar fate as England have done v Australia. Even England will get beaten frequently by the Australian/new Zealand 2nd Xiii turning out for Samoa and Tonga. The example by deluded pom above is the perfect explanation of why it's just crap. At the very least a player should have to commit for the duration of the cycle to give the bare minimum of integrity.

Decision reeks of NRL stupidity. I hope the Rfl opposes this on principal.

And honestly they should have canned any link to international eligibility for origin rather than another half way between decision. its not as if the concept even pits the best players against each other anymore as a fair chunk of the top 34 players in the Nrl are kiwis or English. it could even see the concept bring in increased revenue from England etc... with TV deals if English players were involved.

 

[Foreign Legion]

Gee makes our sport look stupid

 

[jim_57]

"Players can move between tier 2 nations multiple times within A World Cup Cycle"

Surely this is a typo or a pisstake? So a player can play for Samoa one tournament then Wales the next if they're eligible?

Hopefully at the very least this leads to a few teams knocking off the big 3, preferably in major tournaments to make them rethink this entire "tier" bullshit.

 

[siv]

Interesting proposal

Allows one swap between same Tier nations - just as before

Dont think old rules ever stopped the big 3 picking players. All it really did was harm Tier 2 nations as players like Milford would elect not to play for Samoa

I see it as as a transition period ruling

How long the transition lasts will depend upon how Tier 2 nations perform

And if players start prefering to play for Tier 2 nations rather than the big 3

But should see Tier 2 nations reduce the gao on Tier 1 nations

But it will increase the gap between Tier 2 and Tier 3 nations

 

[BuderusIsaBeast]

Interesting proposal

Allows one swap between same Tier nations - just as before

Article states players to swap multiple times between tournaments, which means as many times as they like

 

[BuderusIsaBeast]

Extremely disappointed with this decision. I have long supported International rugby league but i'm pretty much done

 

[langpark]

At least now they've put their cards on the table. Disgraceful, farcical, doesn't come close to describing this.

Biggest victims in all of this? The fringe players of those emerging nations, who will be 100% committed and available for that nation, only to get shafted for the big matches, when the opportunists walk in after not being selected for one of the 'big 3'. Makes me sick to the stomach this does.

 

[siv]

Article states players to swap multiple times between tournaments, which means as many times as they like

Only between their nominated Tier 1 and nominated Tier 2 nation

Eg they cant swap multiple times between say Samoa and Tonga

 

[Scubby]

This whole system is a having your cake and eating it for the big 3 nations. It is also designed to keep SOO at the head of the table.

Basically the only people who benefit are the fringe Origin players like Tariq Sims, Waqa Blake, David Mead, Nene McDonald, Joey Leulia, Anthony Milford who have to chuck in playing for Island nations to make themselves eligible.

However, the sinister edge is that if Leulia and Blake suddenly become top class then Australia can just cherry pick them straight out of the "Tier 2" nation's hands. Maybe even in the build up to a Samoa or Fiji test.

Squad selections for the World Cup are going to be interesting. Watch out for Frizzel missing out on the Kanagaroos and playing for Wales. Then an Australian player pulling out of the Kangaroos with injury a few days before the tournament and them nabbing Frizzel back. Is this what we want?

 

[Burns]

But seriously.

When does a Tier 2 nation become Tier 1? What is Samoa/Tonga were to beat the big 3?

I'm most upset for nations like France, Wales and Canada.May as well be Tier 3 for the rest of the world outside the Pacific.

 

[adamkungl]

It's not ideal but it has it's positives. Most if not all negatives are already in place now. The main positive is that it should result in stronger playing squads for some nations.
eg. Australia and NZ already do pick the best players from the Islands and leave them with the rest. At least now the rest will actually be eligible to play rather than left in a no mans land.

eg2. "You can bet your bottom dollar that certain coaches will try to prevent their player(s) from playing for tier two nations whilst keeping quiet when the same player(s) is chosen for Australia."
Again, already happens.

Compared to other international sports Rugby League is somewhat unique in that 99% of the talent for every nation is playing in 2 comps. Our rules do not have to be the same as every other sports rules. The biggest sporting comp on Earth, the Olympics, is pretty farcical in eligibility, but no one bothers caring. If International RL continues to grow, people will find less reasons to attack it, whatever rules we put up.

Secondly, dual representation isn't that outrageous a concept, there's no real reason for outrage other than it's not 'the done thing' typically. Flaws can be worked around with different strategies.

We could see a player play several games for a tier two nation, help them qualify for a WC and then end up playing against them in the tournament proper.

This is true, by the new rulebook, but in practice avoidable. Samoa for example could have a policy that anyone who wants to represent them in qualification must also be available to represent them in the WC proper. Whether by contract or incentive or other means. Just because the rulebook allows nation switching, it doesn't mean any individual nation has to.

My main issue with it is the codification in the rules of tiers. Which is more of a symbolic problem than a practical one, if smaller nations are smart and proactive with their players, as i've suggested above.


For now I suggest we chill out and see how it pans out. Giving up on the game is a bit over-dramatic. Maybe it will be seen as a pioneering concept in world sport or maybe it will be a disaster. I suspect somewhere in between.

 

[adamkungl]

How exactly does this screw over European nations, I'm missing something here.

 

[jim_57]

Hopefully in 5-10 years we have more genuine "tier 1" nations to break up the status quo/old boys club mentality. A couple nations making the step up with genuine home grown players, only real options I see here though are PNG, Fiji, France & Wales who all have genuine professional pathways which should only increase in output in years to come.

Countries like Canada, Ireland, Italy etc. Can also aim to build ways to get more and more home grown professional players and gradually decrease their reliance on heritage players.

There has to be an end goal here though, which I fear unfortunately there isn't.

 

[adamkungl]

I'd say it's a medium term measure with the goal of ensuring every player of decent talent is on the field in the World Cup. Which results in more quality games which results in more money for developing international footy.

 

[jim_57]

It's not ideal but it has it's positives. Most if not all negatives are already in place now. The main positive is that it should result in stronger playing squads for some nations.
eg. Australia and NZ already do pick the best players from the Islands and leave them with the rest. At least now the rest will actually be eligible to play rather than left in a no mans land.

eg2. "You can bet your bottom dollar that certain coaches will try to prevent their player(s) from playing for tier two nations whilst keeping quiet when the same player(s) is chosen for Australia."
Again, already happens.

Compared to other international sports Rugby League is somewhat unique in that 99% of the talent for every nation is playing in 2 comps. Our rules do not have to be the same as every other sports rules. The biggest sporting comp on Earth, the Olympics, is pretty farcical in eligibility, but no one bothers caring. If International RL continues to grow, people will find less reasons to attack it, whatever rules we put up.

Secondly, dual representation isn't that outrageous a concept, there's no real reason for outrage other than it's not 'the done thing' typically. Flaws can be worked around with different strategies.



This is true, by the new rulebook, but in practice avoidable. Samoa for example could have a policy that anyone who wants to represent them in qualification must also be available to represent them in the WC proper. Whether by contract or incentive or other means. Just because the rulebook allows nation switching, it doesn't mean any individual nation has to.

My main issue with it is the codification in the rules of tiers. Which is more of a symbolic problem than a practical one, if smaller nations are smart and proactive with their players, as i've suggested above.


For now I suggest we chill out and see how it pans out. Giving up on the game is a bit over-dramatic. Maybe it will be seen as a pioneering concept in world sport or maybe it will be a disaster. I suspect somewhere in between.

Agree with most of this, it's just confirming as legal what already happens anyway. Like I said hopefully a few "Tier 2" nations knock off the big 3 to send a shockwave through International RL. More high profile players for these nations should lead to better demand/sponsorship opportunities which could in turn lead to these nations being able to pay players better. Hopefully it's a 1 step back, 2 steps forward situation.

How exactly does this screw over European nations, I'm missing something here.

Exactly, No team will lose strength, some others will slightly gain strength.

 

[adamkungl]

Tbh I think one-nation-for-life would do more harm than good to smaller nations anyway - players would just hold out on rep footy if they think they have a shot of playing for any of the big 3 later in their career.

 

[roughyedspud]

If pacific heritage players can play origin..why can't european heritage players?