deluded pom? said:
So playing for NZ A makes you a Kiwi! Does playing for the Australia PMs X111 make you a Kangaroo then?
Um, it kind of indicates a national representative decision taken on a player's part...
I'm all for the eligibility rule being strict for people not to swap countries willy-nilly or within a world cup cycle. Was just responding that Fuifui has NZ history as well as last year's Tongan matches. Personally I thought there was a rule made about a two year commitment leading into the WC, starting last year. Fuifui and the other bloke should stay with Tonga.
As for the ex-Kiwis putting their hand up for the lesser countries, again unless there is a birth-connection (including parent, and begrudgingly grand parent until domestic comps are up and running) this shouldn't be encouraged. And early registration of these rep connections would allow national panels to plan ahead for who they could and want to include, and hence focus on the types of players they need to develop at specific ages/times.