The rugby agent, the coach and the hotel meeting – how to import Pacific players

[Chris B.]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">Glass said rugby players were being brought in as joiners, woodworkers, even beekeepers. Beekeeping was on the immigration skills shortage list so a beekeeping school had been started up in Tonga, he said. "Down the track that could be the vision of what we do."</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Wonder what proportion of the people at the beekeeping school are aspiring rugby players.</p>

[mikedogz]

<p>Another story along the same lines:  <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/76702713/the-pastor-who-acts-as-a-rugby-player-agent'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/76702713/the-pastor-who-acts-as-a-rugby-player-agent</a></p>

[Godder]

<p>FFS if they want rugby visas, talk to the government, not Immigration. Immigration doesn't create the visa categories, they just assess people's eligibility for them.</p>

[Higgins]

<p>The ability to play senior club rugby should be on Immigration NZs skilled shortages list, especially props! That would solve a lot of problems for struggling clubs.</p>

[jegga]

I might be missing something but these seem to be non stories. People rort the immigration rules for lots of different reasons , these guys do it to play rugby .

[Bovidae]

<p>Matamata were recently promoted and really struggled in the Premiers.  They didn't win a game until the promotion/relegation phase.  I'm not surprised teams like this are so reliant on PI players to fill gaps.</p>

[RaGe_X]

<p><img src="https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12717641_1125157514172615_2500184498800520398_n.png?oh=058a483791b2b9824978b65e8d65d703&oe=57272154" alt="12717641_1125157514172615_25001844988005"></p>

[NTA]

<p>Born there? Started playing juniors there? Started playing seniors there? Permanent Resident or citizen there?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bit more info would be nice.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="555336" data-time="1454194486">
<div>
<p>Wonder what proportion of the people at the beekeeping school are aspiring rugby players.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Some people get a buzz out of it....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>....</p>

[MN5]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="558943" data-time="1455574949">
<div>
<p>Born there? Started playing juniors there? Started playing seniors there? Permanent Resident or citizen there?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bit more info would be nice.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some people get a buzz out of it....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>....</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Don't quit your day job Dad</p>

[NTA]

<p>Ha! Jealous because you didn't get there first. </p>

[jegga]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="558943" data-time="1455574949">
<div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some people get a buzz out of it....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>....</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="http://www.h2g2.com/h2g2/skins/Alabaster/images/Smilies/f_facepalm.gif" alt="f_facepalm.gif"> ffs</p>