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tongakihemate,
the local players have the opportunity to shine during the pacific cup and island nations cup. if they are good enough to make the world cup squad then no one will stop them from going through. however, we should take our best to represent us in the world cup and compete against the best choices of the rest of the world. you will be crazy not to choose your best team for the world cup because the rest of the world is doing that. fiji, samoa, south africa, usa, etc. are bring their best from all over the world during the tours and especially the world cup.
posted by
sifakea39
on
13/05/2010
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Sifakea39 malo e ma'u koloa pea 'oku mahino lelei mai ho'o poinii.Ki'i fakatonutonu atu pe koe 'i ho'o lauu,Rugby is not only a profession...to us it is a way of Life...You are absolutely right that the Ikaletahi on paper will be a better team if the IRB allows all Tongan players who previously played for other nations to come and play for us.But it won't happen and fair play to the IRB for their decison.Rugby had been and could have been mocked again because of that.How would you feel if all the tongans,samoans,fijians etc as discussed are allowed to play for the country of which they hold dual citizenship...how would you feel the other players who aren't fortunate enough to have dual citizenship or of residency rights feel about this issue,,,just think of the consequences,its implications etc on rugby as a global game,on local players futures and its ethical and moral influences.Each and every rugby players want to play in the RWC so give a thought to those local boys who will miss out because Tonga want to give their overseas based stars the first opportunity...is it fair on them?what will you tell them?inevitably their future career or profession as you say it will be minimal without their appearance in the biggest rugby arena...NZ,Aust,SA,England etc etc did these guys a favour by giving them a lifeline...and these Tongan players choose to represent them rather than Tonga so why moan about it...
posted by
tongakihemate
on
25/04/2010
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Tongakihemate, rugby is a profession and if they make a better living oversea...playing for tier 1 countries...good on them. It is a win for us to have them come back and give something back to the country of their ancestors. Unless you tell me that coming back will lower our abilities and standards. You point me out any fool who will say "no" to Doug Howlett, Sam Tuitupou, Tane Tu'ipulotu, George Smith, Sione Lauaki, etc., if they are allowed to play for Tonga!!
Polaloiti,
You may be correct that New Zealand supports amending the rules to allow player to play for another nation now but please tell me who pushed these nonsense into law? Right!! The same countries who take our top players and hook them with a contract and dump them later like beaches.
posted by
sifakea39
on
11/04/2010
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Sorry kaliahau but if you take the time to visit the outer-islands of Tonga and watch their rugby,you'll understand where i'm coming from.Domestic rugby in Tongan is slowly dying because previous iklaetahi coaches insist that local players are not good enough.The question is,how can you get better if you aren't given game time in international matches.If the idea of bringing home ex-foreign international players will win us the World Cup then i fully support you.But if not,which i believe will be the case,then please let them come and support Tongan rugby in whatever capacity and let the Tongan boys who picked to play for Tonga play.Rugby is a game of passion and committment nothing more,nothing less.With regard to the Manu Samoa team of 1995 and that of the last RWC,Tonga beat both teams by being better in all department.In rugby,a win ia a win and on that particular day,Tonga was a much better team.No talato or syndrome disorder as per your quote.The all-blacks are known as the best team in the world yet,won the Webb Ellis Cup only once.Australia and South Africa won it twice.Maybe your theory fits the ab well...tata for now...
posted by
tongakihemate
on
11/03/2010
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I agree to disagree with you tongakihemate. Players who has played for Nz, Aussie, USA etc.....as long as they are still included in the team it's all fair and square to stick to that team however.....if you're being dropped....cut....aka no longer needed..... then you should be given a choice to play for your native country.....to me that's fair....me'a kehe leva ia pe 'e fili nautolu over the local player that's up to the coaches to decide.....for the ultimate plan is to field the best players available especially for international test matches and tourneys.....as for that Manu Samoa team that played the "left-over" Ikale Tahi team.....that was Tongans day.....Samoans suffered from under-estimate syndrome..,,,, they were a better team.....as they were in the last world cup.....but there was that syndrome disorder again....
posted by
kaliahau
on
10/03/2010
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The Tier 2 rugby nations will stand to reap the benefits.However,as great as i support island rugby,I'm sorry but i think it's wrong ethically and will make a mockery of rugby values.If you make your choice to play for nations like NZ,Aussie,USA etc etc then you have to live with it.When players are dropped from these nation's team,they thought that they can just turn up and play for the likes of Tonga,Samoa and Fiji.It may be right but please bear a thouht to the local based players who will be pushed out.Tongan people are special...koe lelei pe e tou lotoo,then everything will be smooth,cool and succesful.ko 'ene heheuu pe mo laveaa pea mahino ko vaihi e...just ask the manu samoa team of 1995.the tongan captain returned home to nz and a makeshift team of left-overs beat them fare and square at Teufaiva.This kind of understanding of the "Tongan way of life"is the downfall of many foreign rugby coaches to our shores...cheers na d nice weekend...
posted by
tongakihemate
on
05/03/2010
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would be great, the talent should be spread around, better for world rugby as a whole, also the sevens players should be eligible for other countries.
posted by
SouthernHemipshere Sports.co.uk
on
02/02/2010
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i love this move
posted by
RIZ_6454
on
11/01/2010
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I hope that the IRB will finally change this rule. I know New Zealand is supporting the move but other countries are too afraid of what the Pacific Islands teams if they have some of their best players back.
posted by
polaloiti
on
16/12/2009
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