The Pacific Island teams play some of the most aggressive rugby on the planet but are always at a disadvantage simply because, by losing so many players to teams across the world, they can never field a first choice team. Not just their star players, but also many of the bread and butter players you need to build and develop a strong international squad.
Unfortunately, the disparity in funding across the rugby world means that unlike any of the Tier 1 nation players, those from the Tier 2 countries playing in our leagues will have to make a choice. Whether to take a massive cut in salary to play for their home countries at the World Cup and potentially lose their jobs, or remain at the clubs to play in our leagues.
The double whammy is that rather than answering the call to represent their country, if they stay and qualify (under world rugby residency rules) they can end up getting paid a small fortune to go to the World Cup and could also play against their own country.
In this current commercial rugby world, the reasons for playing international rugby have become more complicated. Until the game went professional the ultimate achievement in the game was to play for your country. Clubs wanted their players to represent their countries and put no obstacles in the way, in fact encouraging players on the journey to international, but now it’s different.
Esta historia es de la edición September 22, 2019 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 22, 2019 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.