Fiji are hoping to be given the go ahead to enter a team into the NSW Cup for the 2017 season. For me this is an absolute no brainer in developing the international game. The PNG Hunters have been a great success since they were added to the Queensland Cup which has resulted in NRL clubs signing more PNG players on full time deals, Sheffield Eagles also wisely have 3 PNG players. Does anyone know if Tonga or Samoa are looking at entering teams? They should be encouraged to do so imo, even if they require some help financially, I can't think of a better way of investing say some of the profits from a World Cup. www.loverugbyleague.com/news_214 ... -fiji.html

Fiji are hoping to be given the go ahead to enter a team into the NSW Cup for the 2017 season. For me this is an absolute no brainer in developing the international game. The PNG Hunters have been a great success since they were added to the Queensland Cup which has resulted in NRL clubs signing more PNG players on full time deals, Sheffield Eagles also wisely have 3 PNG players. Does anyone know if Tonga or Samoa are looking at entering teams? They should be encouraged to do so imo, even if they require some help financially, I can't think of a better way of investing say some of the profits from a World Cup. www.loverugbyleague.com/news_214 ... -fiji.html

Whilst it is fantastic news & exactly the type of thing that should be happening for the International game to prosper, until the Australians really start to care about RL outside of their own comps, it's virtually pointless.

Any top class Fijian talent that gets produced through this club side will go the same way as Civoniceva, Uate and Radradra.

Steve Mascord wrote a good article on it the past few days, can't remember what side it was on

I've seen a few posts on these boards over the past few days slating 'the Australians' for the fact Radradra has opted to pledge allegiance to Australia, and using that example of them 'looking after their own game'. Truth is though, the Aussies haven't asked him to do this - he's allowed to do it under residency rules, and it's him who's pursued it - it's absolutely no different to us having Chase, Fa'savalu, Withers etc play for England or GB, and we actively chased those players!

In fact, the Aussies legally cannot decline his pledge of allegiance, but they could still choose not to select him, but they'd be stupid to not pick him once he's pledge his allegiance... I'm sure the ridiculously high 'appearance' fee for turning out for Australia has nothing to do with Radradra's decision!

Personally, I don't like the residency rule - for me it should only ever be acceptable if your home nation doesn't have an international team - I can accept heritage players, but residency feels a bit of a sham..... But those are the rules we currently play by, in this instance, the Aussies have done nothing wrong.

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.

The Fiji team has been on the table for over two years. They chose the NSW Cup instead of QLD as up there, they were initially interested in setting up a couple more teams in their comp before their desired intention of looking at other pacific countries.

The fiji side would also be a fijian resident's side, playing 13 games in Suva.

Playing games in suva is really important, getting fans in, getting interest is what will draw the talent that is available to the club instead of those players looking to Australia. Fiji need to play more internationals there as well instead of in Australia and then we really will see some strong development.

The Fiji team will probably be a bit different to PNG in that it will use some players with NRL and NSW cup experience to boost the locally based players, at first at least.
A heap of Fijians already play in country leagues in Australia as well.
A 100% Fiji based side would be destroyed in the NSW cup next year - but a side that includes guys like Groome, Millard, Wes Naiqama and 3 or 4 others of the experienced Fijians kicking around in the lower grades would be competitive.
Maybe even Petro would have a year as a player/coach.
In time, the local guys would get up to speed, but at the moment they would need experienced guys.
There is even a chance they could sign a few non Fijian guys to boost their stocks for a few years.
Afterall, there is nothing stopping them using any player really. Every other team in the league world uses players from any source available.