Why is there little interest in the Kiwis in this forum?

[Thatwasnthighref]

Apparently that 9s appearance was long enough ago that it would be ok

Which would make sense yea, especially as even union allows it with a residency stand down.

But the only residency allowance in IRL's rules are where a player switches from one Tier 2/3 nation to another Tier 2/3 (rule ix).

They can switch from Tier 1 to Tier 2/3 once every calendar year, which is the loophole exploited for Origin eligibility, but there's nothing allowing switches between Tier 1 nations, regardless of time elapsed.

If anyone wants a nosy and tell me if I've got my wires crossed, the link's below:

https://www.intrl.sport/about/documents/laws-classifications-and-eligibility-rules

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Is there something different in the Ponga situation to the situation of all of the other Kiwi-eligible players who prefer to play Origin?

I'd love for him to play for the Kiwis but I'm not aware of any indication that he's any less Origin-focused than all of the other guys we've missed out on.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Is there something different in the Ponga situation to the situation of all of the other Kiwi-eligible players who prefer to play Origin?

I'd love for him to play for the Kiwis but I'm not aware of any indication that he's any less Origin-focused than all of the other guys we've missed out on.

People seem to be pointing to the fact that he seems passionate and makes himself available for the Maori side each year, and his obvious falling out with Mal and never being picked for Aussie

 

[Meth]

I think that what this story represents is an appetite for reform around eligibility criteria, specially as it relates to Origin.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I think that what this story represents is an appetite for reform around eligibility criteria, specially as it relates to Origin.

What gets me in the whole situation, is that quite clearly for the past 6-7 years, Tonga are a Tier 1 nation. How long do we allow the charade to continue that they are tier 2 and can do both

 

[Meth]

As it is, the eligibility criteria disadvantages New Zealand and Great Britain...and us, most of all.

 

[Scott]

What gets me in the whole situation, is that quite clearly for the past 6-7 years, Tonga are a Tier 1 nation. How long do we allow the charade to continue that they are tier 2 and can do both

Samoa making the World Cup final should automatically have them as a Tier 1 nation as well.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

What gets me in the whole situation, is that quite clearly for the past 6-7 years, Tonga are a Tier 1 nation. How long do we allow the charade to continue that they are tier 2 and can do both

The rationale is that Tiers aren’t just determined by on field performances but also the state of the domestic game - pathways, participation rates, financials etc. And TBF, that makes sense from an IRL perspective.

The tiering system is independent of the Origin mess, its just Aus gaming the system for their benefit.

The Origin eligibility rules are actually really clear that a player "must be eligible and elect to play for Australia and have not represented another Tier 1 Nation at Senior Level"

The bolded part should exclude the Tier 2 lads regardless, because they're quite clearly not electing to play for Australia.

But under IRL rules, players with dual eligibility can switch between Tier 1 and Tier 2/3 every calendar year. So technically, these players are declaring for Australia ahead of Origin, and then switching ahead of the test season.

It’s obviously bollocks but because it helps their golden goose to keep laying its golden eggs, Aus just winks and ignore it.

So in short its not the IRL’s tier classification at fault, it’s PDV and his NRL/ARL cronies.