Quote ="Barrie's Glass Eye"Generally I don't have a problem with players choosing to swap based on heritage or residency, as long as you only do it once, you shouldn't be able to change just because you are either no longer good enough (Civonceva) or a big fish in a small pond (Hayne). Once your capped imo that's it you've made your choice.
It's an issue with the international game imo, maybe if the likes of Fiji and Scotland played more than once in a blue moon then guys like Radradra and Brough wouldn't feel the need to change?'"
Completely agree - the issue isn't one that 'the aussies' are simply to blame for, it's an issue across the whole of the game. As is often discussed, we need a meaningful, regular internation calender for all international teams.
The Aussies have stuck to their guns on Origin eligibility now (After years of that being equally as farcical), and have clear guidelines on how Origin eligibility - you must have lived in the state you choose to represent before your 13th Birthday, or your father must have played Origin for the team you choose to represent.
I'd like to see a similar clear, defined eligibility rules, and get rid of the chopping and changing. Let's be really honest, even though there will be odd cases where due to residency, the individual becomes adopted by a nation, generally, if asked, people will name the place they grew up as 'where they're from'. Radradra is Fijian, Chase is a New Zealander, Cuthbertson is an Aussie... There will sometimes be players who are eligible for more than 1 nation - Civonaceva was born in Fiji, but moved to Aus in early childhood, so he would have the choice from both a heritage perspective, and because he lived in both countries before turning 13 - but for me, when he first starts out his pro-RL career, he should be picking and sticking with a nation.
I do see the benefit in having tier 1 and tier 2 nations, so that if Pedro chose Aus, and then as he gets older he can't get in the Aus team, but will add great benefits to playing for Fiji, I can understand why we might make allowances for switching allegiance in that situation, but not in situations like Radradra's, where it's based on the 3 years residency, and in reality, the main reason he's switching is for the money that can be earned playing for Aus - I'm sure there might also be some truth in the 'wanting to challenge himself at the top level' line that will no doubt be trotted out, but we all know the real reason, and it aint that living in Aus for 3 years has had such a profound effect that he now calls himself Bruce and spends his weekend at the BBQ.