Chase has been called up for england

Im all for competing with the aussies, but were going to be a laughing stock when fielding so many non-english players....

What does everyone else think?

He's a great player but he's not English, let's not forget a few months ago he was playing against us for the exiles. What message does that send to the youngsters playing our game, what incentive do they have to want to play internationally?

I know this isn't the first time or even something particular to our sport or code...but how on earth do the RFL expect people to get behind the international game if people don't think it represents them.

Union arent fussy, and I dont think league should be. But it should only be a short term fix to improve the squad, what we need is more of our home trained talent coming through so theres a bigger pool competing to get in the squad and thereby raise competitiveness.

Don't see a problem with it, Aussies have been doing it for years, likes of Karmichael Hunt, Willie Mason, Tonnie Carrol were all born in New Zealand but played for the Green & Gold.

You don't see any problem with it???? Chase is a half back, I am pretty damn sure we have enough English born half backs available for the England team. Its absolutely nonsense, just as daft as Tuilagi and Hape playing for England rugby yawnion.

if he feels like he's an Englishman then fair enough. I have no problem with it and he certainly strengthens the squad.

If he genuinely is committing his long term future to being British, then fair enough. Backwoodsmen might not like it but a win against Aus would do more for RL in this country than a plucky thrashing of 17 players from the M62.

So why dont we just have 17 Australian players in the England team, I am sure they can find 17 who have English grandparents..

This is just nonsense.

The Aussis set the precedent yonks ago by picking various south sea islanders. We then picked Faasavalu. I don't have a problem with it really so long as he's genuinely committed.

How long must someone reside in this country to be eligible?

I’m in two minds about this. If it creates true competition for places and therefore improves the squad then OK. As long as it doesn’t make the ‘overseas option’ impervious to being dropped at the expense of a younger better 'fully english' player, which I feel is happening at club level.

Not sure, but I think the recent trawl has been non-residents, who qualify through the parents/grandparents rule which enables all sorts of nationalities to play union for Italy, Wales, etc and Withers Koppy etc to play for Ireland and Wales without residing there. (edit: and not forgetting Aussie Lulia who plays internationals for the Cook Islands)

In order to get a better crop of young "Englishmen" we need more kids taking up the sport to increase the pool of talent. In order to do that we need more media exposure in areas where the game doesn't have a traditional fan base. In order to do that we really need England to do something against Australia and New Zealand and the only way we're going to do that is by picking the best players that are eligible. It's a smart move by Macca. I also like his efforts to try and get Dally Cherry Evans to play for England but i think he'll be swayed by the interest being shown by Queensland so it won't go anywhere.

Do you really think the kids that will have taken up cricket after the last ashes series give a toss that half the team are technically south africans?

How many of him is there, then?


Dunno. Maybe, "Wow, if I was an Aussie I'd need to be better than the Lockyers and Thurstons, thank god I'm English, now I only need to be better than Rangi Chase"?


But you're not a spokesman for "people", are you? Doesn't seem to have destroyed the support of teh English cricket team, and last I heard, Chelsea, Man Utd etc were getting half decent suppoirt with nary a European, let alone Englishman, within 10 miles of the building.



Because the idea is that you pick an eligible player on how good he is, and whether he is available, and not on who his grandparents were.

But given that you're Spanish, Bob, WTF business is it of yours?

currently there is an out and out aussie in the squad an out and out kiwi.

It will be interesting what these players do during the national anthem, I think they should be made to join in, as should the entire squad (rugby is usually better than football for this)

Who cares. I'm Welsh.

Why? I won't be.

You won't be what?

Joining in the national anthem.

Nope, Chase has lived here over 3 years and has clearly stated that this is now his home. You don't get to decide for him. Who's the "out and out Aussie", then? Presumably not Reed, who was actually born in Yorkshire? Maybe Heighington, then, but whose father - and thus 50% of his genes - is English? What exactly would be your definition of a qualifying player - perhaps someone who can trace both parents back at least 500 years of English blood, and who has never been more than 10 miles from the M62? Give me one convincing reason why someone born here can't play for his country of birth; or why a player born of (presumably) 2 parents cannot play for the country of origin of one of them, if that was England?

It may be interesting to you, but frankly I prefer them to play their hearts out rather than sing them. You seem to have a very jingoistic take on this. It's Test footy, not the bleedin' X Factor.

I expect 99% of England fans at the game to join in, together with the players.

Not saying it should be compulsory but, imo, I think it adds to the occasion and helps players mentally for the game ahead (unless your Morley, who wants to then go around close-lining everyone)

It shows the world that the players are proud to represent their country!

It's a bit of farce IMO. I thought the same when they picked Maurie whatever his name is. I appreciate that other sports have done similar but it just doesn't seem right to me. We might as well rename our national side the English SL and have done with it.

I, personally think you should only be able to play for a county that you have a passport for.

For example - if Heighinton (never quoted Reed, because that would be silly!) - could successfully apply for a passport (due to his parents nationality), and it arrives, then he's okay to play.

If players cared so much about playing for England, let them become citizens.

IMO, Rangi is not English because his passport states the obvious. If Rangi completes his time in the UK and obtains a passport then fine, no arguments. But to say your 'English' as you have spent the last 3 years in the county is a bit questionable.

Rangi will be playing for England, whilst having a visa, is that okay?

Next we will have Aussies/Kiwis coming over just to play in a test series, knowing they are not good enough to make the cut for their respective nations.

For the record - I do think he's a great player and will add something different. But just can't justify his selection. In a way, I just think that McNamara is 'Cheating' at his job.

No way!!! he is not english end of!

lets face it... steve mac turned bulls into a laughing stock now he is doing the same for england RL