Pasifika SR team
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You just know that an ex-AB is going to come back and play for MP, tear it up, and then NZRU is going to find a way to let him be selected for the ABs.
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@billy-tell im struggling to see how this isnt just a sixth SR side divided along racial lines.
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So if I understand it correctly, of the 20% of MP players who don't have to be eligible for the PI nations, three can be current ABs and the rest (2-3 players) may only be returning ABs (or Wallabies)?
Which current AB would be willing to play for them instead of a NZ franchise? You'd assume that would be a player who - despite being an AB - isn't a regular starter at their current franchise.
Or can "current" include a player who's played for the ABs in the past and isn't in the current squad, but hasn't left NZ? Someone like Peter Umaga-Jensen?
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@stargazer The other key point appears to be that a player who is eligible for NZ, but not yet selected for the ABs, can play for MP.
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@bovidae said in Pasifika SR team:
@stargazer The other key point appears to be that a player who is eligible for NZ, but not yet selected for the ABs, can play for MP.
Of course, because over half of the Tongan and Samoan teams are born in NZ, so if you didn't allow ABs qualified, it would fuck over those island teams getting new players in. It would be politically pretty bad if NZ picks a new AB from MP, even though they could have 'space' under the 3 ABs and 20% caps. Would really not be a good look
As to non PI qulified in MP there are two different directions to look at this
The AB direction is NZR will allow the secondment of 3 players to play for MP and still be eligible for ABs, they'll probably pick up the wages too. This is a NZR rule, to help out MP in it's starting years.
The MP direction is that 80% of the team has to be eligible for Samoa/Tonga. The others can be from anywhere/an cap if they want to play. This is a MP rule, and will be always in place (like NZ SR team and AB qualified limits) to ensure that MP is feeding players to the PI systems/test teams.So it maybe that no ABs play for MP, they'd have to want to. MP might end up 100% eligible for PI, if they don't sign any big names.
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@stargazer said in Pasifika SR team:
Or can "current" include a player who's played for the ABs in the past and isn't in the current squad, but hasn't left NZ? Someone like Peter Umaga-Jensen?
Yes current doesn't just mean current squad.
Rob Nichol "You can have three players who are current, or currently eligible for the All Blacks."
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@kiwimurph Lauaki and Sivivatu played for that PI team v the ABs didnt they, uncapped prior werent they and very likely to play for ABs when selected?...
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Just makes me smile at the assumption that any player who plays for MP will be of Pasifika heritage. With the 3 ABs etc allowance it could be maybe Brodie Retallic, Beauden Barrett etc for instance. You fellas maybe need to stop thinking skin colour etc is the criteria.
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@derpus said in Pasifika SR team:
@dan54 Soooo... what's the point?
80% of the team are Samoa/Tonga qualified, giving a leg up to those national teams. They will have control over those players same way NZR and AR have control of theirs, rather than trying to prise them from Euro clubs
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@machpants it seems to me that the majority who can play for MP will also be AB eligible. So as soon as they turn out half decent they'll shift to another franchise because the ABs actually pay you to play test rugby.
On top of this they are working with a smaller pool of potential players and likely less resources.
Just seems like they'll be flogs who get their best talent poached whenever it comes through. That, or they just become the sixth NZ franchise (which may actually be a half decent move).
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@derpus said in Pasifika SR team:
@machpants it seems to me that the majority who can play for MP will also be AB eligible. So as soon as they turn out half decent they'll shift to another franchise because the ABs actually pay you to play test rugby.
On top of this they are working with a smaller pool of potential players and likely less resources.
Just seems like they'll be flogs who get their best talent poached whenever it comes through. That, or they just become the sixth NZ franchise (which may actually be a half decent move).
I thought that 8% had to declare for Samoa or Tonga, which takes them out of AB's or Aussie's reach doesn't it?
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@arhs said in Pasifika SR team:
@derpus There are a few players now floating around Counties Manukau and neighbouring regions that view does not apply too. I wonder if their return from offshore has anything to do with MP?
Yep think that's why Sekope Kefu is back, think I heard him talk about it on tv.
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@dan54 I think 80% (not 8%) needs to be eligible for Tonga, Samoa (or other Pacific nations?) or have already played for them. I don't think they have to declare for (i.e. committing to) them. In any case, as long as they're contracted to MP, they'll be ineligible for any other nation, such as NZ and Oz.
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@dan54 said in Pasifika SR team:
Yep think that's why Sekope Kefu is back, think I heard him talk about it on tv.
They could also sign the likes of Manu and Lam (if not returning to Japan) to provide some experience. Apisai is a local who isn't in a current NZ squad.
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@bovidae other possibles are Puafisi, Slade, Motuga, Rarasea (Drua), Taumateine, Tuiloma, Tatafu, N Latu, Tikoirotuma (Drua), Leuila, Anae, Woonton, Lay, S Tuipolutu. Pretty much all captured by the Pacific Islands and not in super franchise contract.
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