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.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

One Tiger is desperate to play for NSW. Another would never play for Queensland

Terrell May can push his Origin claims with a big game against Brisbane’s star front-rowers, but Jahream Bula has vowed never to pull on the Maroons jersey.

www.smh.com.au

Article is about Terrell May’s origin prospects but includes something about Jahream Bula:

“… Jahream Bula stressed he had no interest in representing Queensland – he identifies as a New South Welshman, despite being ineligible for the Blues…”

I know he's already played for Fiji and no doubt Samoa will check in as well, if they haven't already.

But anyone know if he’s ever been sounded out for the Kiwis?

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

"Identifies as a New South Welshman" LMFAO

In all the trans-panic and culture war shit going on these days, what's really being overlooked is the number of Kiwi rugby league players who identify as State of Origin eligible Pacific Islanders.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

"Identifies as a New South Welshman" LMFAO

In all the trans-panic and culture war shit going on these days, what's really being overlooked is the number of Kiwi rugby league players who identify as State of Origin eligible Pacific Islanders.

Bit different in Bula's case. In case you couldn't access the article, he goes on to say:

“I’m eligible, but I don’t want to play for Queensland. My family are Koori and from NSW – they’re from around the Coffs Harbour and Macksville areas – and I’ve always gone for NSW.”

NZ born before relocating to QLD, but his old man is half indigenous and from the area.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Bit different in Bula's case. In case you couldn't access the article, he goes on to say:

“I’m eligible, but I don’t want to play for Queensland. My family are Koori and from NSW – they’re from around the Coffs Harbour and Macksville areas – and I’ve always gone for NSW.”

NZ born before relocating to QLD, but his old man is half indigenous and from the area.

It's not really different, in all the other cases the players are indeed actually (a) eligible to play for a Pacific Island and (b) sufficiently connected to Australia to be eligible to play Origin. Still K1W1s from the land of the long white cloud though.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

It's not really different, in all the other cases the players are indeed actually (a) eligible to play for a Pacific Island and (b) sufficiently connected to Australia to be eligible to play Origin. Still K1W1s from the land of the long white cloud though.

Its very different. You're talking about guys who're Origin eligible simply because they've met residency requirements. Bula has family connections.

Scott Sorenson is Australian born and bred, never even lived in NZ. But considers himself a Kiwi and no one questions it because of his family links.

Just because Bula's Aboriginal family aren't rugby league royalty like Scott's doesn't make them any less legitimate.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

I think the last few pages sums up one of of the answers to why there is so little interest in the kiwis... the eligibilaty rules are a mess

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I think the last few pages sums up one of of the answers to why there is so little interest in the kiwis... the eligibilaty rules are a mess

I think the 2017 World Cup tipped me off a cliff, especially as the eligibility issues started to raise their heads there.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Scott Sorenson is Australian born and bred, never even lived in NZ. But considers himself a Kiwi and no one questions it because of his family links.

Yes Sorenson is very obviously Australian