Preserving the Fiji star core

[Albert Rosenfeld]

The following 10 players are Fijian born or Fijian heritage NRL and SL stars and should be not selected for Australia. For the good of the international game they need to play for Fiji in internationals, especially at the World Cup. To ensure their loyalty to Fiji they should be paid at least $3000 per match by the RLIF, in order to help develop the international game:

Kevin Naiqama

Semi Radradra, Waqa Blake, Marika Koroibete

Apisai Korisau

Jason Bukya,
Tariq Sims, Korbins Sims
Ashton Sims, Kane Evans,

 

[expansionist]

Add some others to that pile..

Regan Campbell-Gillard.. who according to media is 'tossing up' playing for Fiji or City Country..

 

[hutch]

Plus the new Fijian winger Vunivalu from Melbourne, Vunakece the garbage man from the roosters, Aquila uate, Jason bukuya are all Fijians in the NRL.

 

[siv]

The Fiji RL along with other national bodies need to start scheduling matches

Not expecting the NRL to do it for them

 

[Craigo]

Ok, some of these players can qualify for Australia due to residency, just like an Aussie who plays in France can eventually represent FFRXIII. Others qualify due to heritage like the Sims brothers for Fiji. Now while I am not a fan of players Like Radradra switching to Australia, if its good for one, it should be good for all.
Rather than banning players or making them sit out, why not allow them to nominate their first choice option (tier 1 nation Aus, NZ or Eng), generally being where they are a resident or citizen, then have a tier 2 option (Fiji, Samoa etc) and allow them to switch without penalty if they are not picked for their Tier 1 option.
Playing more games and getting paid would also influence players into not switching to Tier 1 nations so there has to be improvement in that area.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Rather than banning players or making them sit out, why not allow them to nominate their first choice option (tier 1 nation Aus, NZ or Eng), generally being where they are a resident or citizen, then have a tier 2 option (Fiji, Samoa etc) and allow them to switch without penalty if they are not picked for their Tier 1 option.

Because it makes a bit of a mockery of international sport. Having a bloke being eligible for both teams, not being picked a week out for one and suiting up to play for the other - or both squads in a mexican standoff, waiting to see who picks who so they can reshuffle their team in response.

 

[Knights_2016]

Ok, some of these players can qualify for Australia due to residency, just like an Aussie who plays in France can eventually represent FFRXIII. Others qualify due to heritage like the Sims brothers for Fiji. Now while I am not a fan of players Like Radradra switching to Australia, if its good for one, it should be good for all.
Rather than banning players or making them sit out, why not allow them to nominate their first choice option (tier 1 nation Aus, NZ or Eng), generally being where they are a resident or citizen, then have a tier 2 option (Fiji, Samoa etc) and allow them to switch without penalty if they are not picked for their Tier 1 option.
Playing more games and getting paid would also influence players into not switching to Tier 1 nations so there has to be improvement in that area.

I Completely agree, you could argue that it makes a mockery as Miguel de cervantes has stated however IMO it is much much worse when it comes to world cup time when there are only 3 genuine competitors who thrash everyone else. Imagine if an Anthony Milford is sitting on the sidelines at the world cup if he plays even 1 origin next year instead of strengthening the Samoan side to a point where some competition is showed

 

[deluded pom?]

I'm no fan of nation hopping but you can't let some players move but not others. Why should only Fijian players be ring fenced? I think they should make an announcement after the WC that it's one nation for life. Give the players a while to make their minds up but once the deadline has past that's it.

 

[latingringo101]

I'm no fan of nation hopping but you can't let some players move but not others. Why should only Fijian players be ring fenced? I think they should make an announcement after the WC that it's one nation for life. Give the players a while to make their minds up but once the deadline has past that's it.

We should do it like FIFA has done it,

When you play in an international tournament or World Cup/qualifier, you're bound to that nation for life!

This excludes 9s, tours, One off individual test matches and Junior representations

 

[hutch]

Allowing players to switch at will does nothing for the game long term. Lolohea for eg could potentially play for Tonga in the mid test test, then NZ against Aus at the end of the year, get dropped 'back' to Tonga and then get a call up for another NZ test al in ONE YEAR!!!!

How is a nation like Tonga meant to grow as a rugby league nation if they don't know who their pool of players are because they all get to pick and choose at will. It is so completely short sighted and has been happening for over 20 years since the 95 WC.

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Pity that Sisa Waqa is switching to rugby union in June. He otherwise would be a certainty for a centre spot for Fiji. Damned good player who just couldn't keep a spot in the Canberra 3/4 line.

Instead we will have to be satisfied with Kevin Naiqama's less talented older brother Waisale ("Wes") Naiqama (now with London Broncos), who at least can kick goals sometimes.

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Fijian World Cup team, if not pilfered by Australia, could be very impressive.

Here is the possible core of the Fijian team:

Kevin Naiqama

Semi Radradra, Darryl Millard, Wes Naiqama, Marika Koroibete

Waqa Blake
Apisai Korisau

Jason Bukuya
Tariq Sims, Korbin Sims
Ashton Sims, ...?, Kane Evans

Interchange: Regan Campbell-Gillard, Eloni Vunakece, Jacob Saifiti


Reserves: Daniel Saifiti, Suliasi Vunivalu, Ryan Millard, Aaron Groom

Basically, with Korisau switched to half back, you still need a couple of hookers. There might be some candidates in the NSW Cup or Qld Cup, or playing in Fiji.

But that list I have here is very impressive and needs to be preserved for the World Cup to make the games interesting. Fiji would have a tough pack of forwards, and exciting halves, wingers and full back. Only the centres would be mediocre. Australia and New Zealand are unlikely to score any 90 metre runaway tries against Fiji with the Fijian back three I have listed, including probably the fastest pair of wingers in the NRL.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

This could and should be Fiji's golden generation. Two world cup semi finals in a row. This generation should get together, commit to Fiji and make it a goal to pull off a famous victory against one of the big three in a major tournament.

 

[Sinman]

This could and should be Fiji's golden generation. Two world cup semi finals in a row. This generation should get together, commit to Fiji and make it a goal to pull off a famous victory against one of the big three in a major tournament.

Good point!! and this is going to be the real motivation for players to stick with their countries.. If they think they have a hope of competing then more will stick solid.. Frank Prichard for instance..

 

[Chip Kick]

This could and should be Fiji's golden generation. Two world cup semi finals in a row. This generation should get together, commit to Fiji and make it a goal to pull off a famous victory against one of the big three in a major tournament.

I totally agree

 

[hutch]

Just realised fiji have now lost radradra, sisa waqa and korobete for the World Cup.
Waqa Blake hasn't shown interest in playing for them, uate is in reserve grade and could be shipped off to French rugby union, Reagan Campbell Gillard was more interested in city/country than Fijian test team, sims brothers more interested in repping different states in origin that they probably won't ever make.

What should be the golden generation of Fijian rugby league will never reach its potential.
Maybe Hayne will come back and switch again?

 

[RedVee]

Sad. But they need to want to play. I'm a bit stumped as to what is happening here.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

I still think the biggest issue is linking Origin to Australia....

So many players will pick NSW or QLD then just accept being stuck with Australia instead of their preferred nation.

It is bloody common for a kid to qualify for several nations. I say:

- Let them pick an Origin team (if they qualify)
- Then let them pick a nation (if they qualify)

Getting players with an Origin-level profile into Pacific nation teams would turn them into demi-gods in these countries AND International Football might finally become competitive...

 

[adamkungl]

Australia need to unlink Roo eligibility from Origin eligiblity for the good of the game (fat chance of that)

The ARLC need to take financial responsibility for League development in the Southern Hemisphere - treat it as an investment into the game's future. Either directly fund, or provide international bodies the ability to fund test matches.
A match payment system tiered by international ranking. Playing for Fiji or Samoa shouldn't be a huge financial disadvantage compared to choosing Australia.
As the sole wealthy RL body in the region and premier comp in the world, it is the ARLC's responsibility.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

What is most needed is a set in stone program such that the Fiji Rugby League can come and and state to all potential current and up and coming players -

"over the next two years, Fiji will be playing in a minimum X number of test matches, of which Y against Australia/NW/England/France/PNG etc. for a renumeration of roughly Z."

It all boils down to this. No player in their right mind would want to commit to Fiji subject to the current eligibility rules if they are not sure to play a minimum number of games of decent quality for a decent amount of money. It's that simple.

If they can get this up for Fiji, the other Pacific Islands will fall in place like dominos.