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Don't agree with it and it doesn't wash. League can't even decide over State of Origin representation. The Tonie Carroll, Brad Thorn and Adrian Lam selections are case in point. Before that the Craig Polla Mounter selection (he was another Aus Rugby Schoolboy that switched to League) was a big fiasco that tested the then criteria.There is actually debate about whether rugby league's looser eligibility requirements are the best way to develop the game at the grassroots level or not.
It's also not a resolution to the Pacific Island issue. It is common for such a debate to occur when England host Samoa. I am actually on the English side here. I wouldn't like to have my revenue spent by the Samoan Government (the IRB said themselves that the Samoan RU is not broke) and the RA. Australia can't throw sticks and stones at the IRB. Like Samoa the Australian Government are having to take control of the game as money has been wasted and misused. Good job the IRB are seeing through it.
As far as tests go I have no record of the Wallabies ever playing a test in Samoa full cap or not and I can only count three times the Wallabies have hosted them for a test match. Fiji haven't played in Australia that often either and I don't count the match in the late 90s as that was a RWC qualifier.
The IRB council need to put the foot down on the corruption (they could see through the crock of shite that was the RWC recommendation report) in unions that are bringing the game in to disrepute.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
I don't mind the current Olympics loophole as a compromise - the 3 year requirement means it can't be a short term decision and no union will be able to risk more than a few players each 4 year cycle with Olympic qualification on the line. Of course if you're a front rower you're stuck.
The most awkward case is probably Steffon Armitage. The IRB said they would look at it case by case and in regards to who could legitimately play 7s. They also took on board motive. The French went ahead and picked a test squad that included David Smith, Blair Connor and Armitage. Connor had played 7s for Australia, Armitage underage for French however he has full England caps and Smith 7s for NZ. The French selectors pleaded ignorance when reminded that these players were cap tied.
Armitage was prevented from being picked for England based upon being based in France while playing for Toulon. The IRB as they look at it on a case by case basis probably saw this as a motive for switching to France. I could see Armitage's case as he was raised in France (Nice), played under age for France and lived in France (still does). He had more of a case than Nanai Williams who plays his Rugby in NZ and went on the 7s circuit for NZ.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
The ref's mike-up gear is working well tonite. The kiddies have been exposed to 2 fooks, 1 fuck and a cheating koont so farby my count.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David