I've read it Nick. Peoples views and circumstances change. If they live in this country contribute to this country they then should be able to represent this country. Especially if they feel this is home.

I'm sure NZ have as well.

Agreed. I don't think it's right, just like Hazem El Masri, Karmichael Hunt or Willie Mason playing for Australia. We wern't playing to the rules, now we are. Hard lines NZ.

Now we have 4 or 5 options at half back rather than our usual 1 or 2, one's normally a loose forward.

Fancy our chances more now.

And it's getting a raft of media attention too, trending on twitter @5th.

A big old advert for the tournament that is.

the maoris & exiles teams are'nt national teams.....and no laws have been bent or broken to allow chase to represent england



hth

Exactly!

Folk need to stop being so bloody English! Bringing Rangi on board will strengthen the squad and the options. Folk saying that they don't want him because he isn't English are essentially saying that they are happen to play with a weaker squad because its more fair that way. And, who are we really being 'fairer' to? The Kiwis and the Aussies. I don't want to be 'fairer' to the Kiwis and Aussies. I want to beat them.

We live in a modern, globalised world. The idea that you should only represent the country you were born in is archaic. The way people live and the identities that are based around that have changed. The rules reflect that and England have followed the rules and used them to their advantage, just like other sporting teams.

But, in real life people can just switch around, so why should sport be any different?

Andy Henderson was born in the UK but is still counted as overseas. Figure that one out.

There are more Biritish Forces living in Germany than in England but I bet if WW3 kicked off our troops wouldn't switch sides.

I don’t give a flying about Cricket, or any other sport for that matter.

By going down this road, we are forever devaluing any International competition.

I don’t care that the Aussies have players from the Islands, I would have just liked to see a group of English lads kick their booty.

OK, so lets make a list of players who've been here three years, none of whom are English, and just pick them.

Perhaps one day we can then win a tournament full of overseas players. I won't be there to watch it though, and all the times I've spent supporting England in the past would feel like a complete waste of time.

Picking a player who only a couple of months ago was saying how desperate he was to represent NZ as a proud Kiwi is the thin end of the wedge and has definitely dented my enthusiasm for international RL.

I now need to explain to the 10 or so newcomers to the sport I'm taking with me on November 5th to Wembley why the Kiwi Exiles MOM is playing for England.

Absolutely - just look at how international RU has no credibility left at all after England started playing Henry, Hape and Tuilagi. Or the joke that is international cricket - zero credibility, what with all those South Africans and Zimbagweans in the England team. Same with athletics and association football (remember John Barnes?). Last thing we want is rugby league sinking to these sports' levels of credibility.

Tell them Shontayne Hape and Manu Tuilagi are playing for England in the RU world cup, and this is exactly the same - a non issue.

They started from a higher base of credibility before adopting these practices, we're starting from a low base and disenfranchising our own (minimal) support.

It's a non-issue for you, but clearly not for everybody. I'll decide what I will and won't object to, thanks very much.

You're right though - is is EXACTLY like Hape playing for England RU - a farce.

??????


wtf?



Do you know what 'disenfranchising' means?

Tbf it's normally more the other way around.

England are now on par with Samoa

Well a quick google search tells me:

"Deprived of power; marginalized
E.g. - a hard core of kids who are disenfranchised and don't feel connected to the school"

Swap "kids" for "RL fans" and "the school" for "England RL", and you might just get there.

That OK with you?

Ah … you don't. Fair enough.

The England football team is ALL English. Maybe we should follow their lead.

And, after 80 minutes you'll have to respond to their question "Why were you so angry? He's an awesome player and he won us the match? Will he be playing in the final because we all want to go?"

How bizarre.

Double post

So perhaps we can find another 16 blokes who've only been here three years and have spoken about their dreams of representing countries other than England.

That would be awesome. After all, it's only winning that counts.

Tuilagi has played all his Rugby in England and went to school here, so he has every right to play for England. Chase and Hape are in the same boat, doesn't make it right though and I don't agree with Hape playing for England.

This is absolutely spot on.