Quote ="dirtbag83"Maybe so but the problem is you dont have to be Australian to play Origin. Australia cherry-pick the best talent from the South Sea Islands by dangling the Origin carrot, which weakens the international game as a whole. That's Vagana's point. Although to be fair Vagana did play for New Zealand despite being from Samoa so it's a little rich coming from him!'"
What are you on about? Aside from uate, who should still be playing for Fiji and not for nsw/Australia (despite the fact he had never played rugby league before emigrating to aus), who have Australia cherry picked from the south sea islands. Every single national team has players born and/or raised in Australia, yet Australia weakens international rugby league? How does that work?
It's very rich coming from vagana considering that NZ are the worst nation when it comes to "cherry picking" other nations players. The most recent player is a young kid from the warriors in Konrad hurrell who is going to be a superstar. He moved from tonga to NZ 3 years ago on a rugby union scholarship before taking up rugby league and has already stated he wants to play for the kiwis. NZ are the biggest hypocrits of all!
All that needs to happen is a fairer schedule of meaningful test matches and rep games for all nations both mid year and post season and a one country for life rule and we are well on our way to reaching our potential as an international sport. Vaganas two tier system is ridiculous and will ensure that these national teams are packed full of players who would drop them for aus or NZ as soon as they are good enough. Players must commit to the nation, not play when they don't make their first choice. Leave origin to Australians as it is, other countries should be giving players with dual nationality the choice to make the decision and stick to it!
