Samoa vs Tonga, confirmed.

[Mixmasterreece]

So just to clarify as my understanding of the rules this year is shady -

Can these guys who play for Samoa or Tonga still turn out for another nation at the world cup this year, or do they have to wait until next year to switch again?

 

[deal.with.it]

So just to clarify as my understanding of the rules this year is shady -

Can these guys who play for Samoa or Tonga still turn out for another nation at the world cup this year, or do they have to wait until next year to switch again?

it depends if they have switched in this world cup cycle to play for tonga or samoa in this game.
Someone like Jeff Lima who has played for NZ in 2009 (i think?) can switch to Samoa. That is him done. No more switches until after the world cup.
UNLESS....
He applies in writing to the RLIF stating why he wants to switch back to NZ. This is what Uate did.

 

[Godz Illa]

Likely Samoan team?

1. Carlos Tuimavave
2. Kalifa Fai Fai Loa
3. Daniel Vidot
4. Junior Sau
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Ben Roberts
7. Pita Godinet
8. Roy Asotasi
9. Masada Iosefa
10. Jeff Lima
11. David Faalogo
12. Eddy Pettybourne
13. Sam Tagataese

14. Leeson Ah Mau
15. Martin Taupau
16. Lama Tasi
17. Mark Taufua

* the two local Samoan lads being unknown

 

[GB!]

what happened with Matai choosing Samoa over NZ and not appearing in either team?

 

[Mixmasterreece]

Likely Samoan team?

1. Carlos Tuimavave
2. Kalifa Fai Fai Loa
3. Daniel Vidot
4. Junior Sau
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Ben Roberts
7. Pita Godinet
8. Roy Asotasi
9. Masada Iosefa
10. Jeff Lima
11. David Faalogo
12. Eddy Pettybourne
13. Sam Tagataese

14. Leeson Ah Mau
15. Martin Taupau
16. Lama Tasi
17. Mark Taufua

* the two local Samoan lads being unknown

Crazy - 7 ex kiwis and two who toured but never played (iosefa and pettybourne)

I still expect at least one or two from the samoan and tongan teams to turn up for the kiwis at the World Cup.

 

[Springs]

In regards to switching - if Australia decide they want a Samoan or Tongan player they will be allowed to switch to Australia. Anyone wants to switch to any other country or if an Australian player wants to switch then they won't be allowed.

 

[PaulyTom]

Don't be to concerned about eligibility.

Craig Wing is about to play for Japan and is tipped to play at the next Rugby Union World Cup.

 

[hutch]

There's nothing wrong with the eligibility laws, it is the switching that holds our sport back.

 

[RedVee]

so what if they are australian born??

they are eligible for other nations

Yes, but they also have the right to aim for Aust selection.

 

[Springs]

There's nothing wrong with the eligibility laws, it is the switching that holds our sport back.

Holds us back from what?

 

[Western_Eel]

Holds us back from what?

Yeah I think the everyday supporter / footy watcher doesn't care as long as its competitive

 

[hutch]

Holds us back from what?

Hold us back from developing international rugby league in the long term. Alot of these teams are nothing but quick fixes trying to make 'national' teams look competitive straight away without putting any real development or long term strategies into place. We need much stricter rules regarding nation swapping and a regular schedule for all test countries to continue to grow the sport and reach our potential, or be talking about these issues in ten years time just as we were in the 2000 rlwc.

 

[Springs]

I think the regular schedule is the most important thing. Despite all this switching international rugby league has been coming along greatly. 20 years ago we had 6 national sides. I still don't see how Jeff Lima playing for Samoa this weekend is holding the sport back.

 

[RHCP]

There's a balance that needs to be struck imo. We want these sides to be competetive, but we also need them to be genuine sides, not New Zealand A.

We need a regular schedule (this game could very well become a regular one if we continue with the 'rep weekend') and their needs to be some kind of incentive to improve local player development.

But the players 'don't make enough money' so I guess we can't afford it.

 

[ace of spades]

Is this game being telecast, if so wat time day ect

 

[Packy]

I heard there is a rule change for this game. Shoulder charges are now mandatory.

 

[hutch]

I think the regular schedule is the most important thing. Despite all this switching international rugby league has been coming along greatly. 20 years ago we had 6 national sides. I still don't see how Jeff Lima playing for Samoa this weekend is holding the sport back.

The sport has grown in spite of the rules, not because of them. Jeff Lima playing for Samoa is probably not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but if 15 Jeff Lima (ex kiwis) switch just before the World Cup because they aren't good enough for nz anymore, we have problems. This happened in the last rlwc and our weak rules allow it to happen again. Not allowing switching may seem too strong handed at the current time, but it is the best way to grow national squads and their player pool, and also encourage nations to actively develop players. It will only work with a much stronger schedule for nations such as tonga and Samoa and will involve some short term pain, but if we started 10 years ago we would be beginning to see the rewards at this World Cup. Instead, these "nations" are still looking for the quick fix and players such as fui fui are still making a mockery of our sport.

 

[hutch]

Yeah I think the everyday supporter / footy watcher doesn't care as long as its competitive

Everyday supporter in Australia, or potential or current rugby league supporters in the actual countries involved? Which is more important?

 

[carlosthedwarf]

Surely Tonga has a better option than Ben Roberts in the halves?

Also is there a replay of this game? Only have Foxtel on Xbox so no IQ.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Surely Tonga has a better option than Ben Roberts in the halves?

Also is there a replay of this game? Only have Foxtel on Xbox so no IQ.

Haha, I was just thinking the same thing, Roberts needs to be kept as far away as possible from any team, let alone first grade and international teams :crazy: