New Zealand and the Pacific Islands

Whenever New Zealand play rugby comments are usually made that they steal all their players from the Pacific Islands. This is often based on the simplistic observation that many players have Pacific Island ancestry, but often has no more validity than saying that selecting Pakeha players damages European rugby. I think many outside NZ don't understand the reality, I have a some idea of dual identity as my grandparents come form Scotland & Wales and my wife's parents are from India. Some time ago I looked to see if NZ were enticing teenagers over on lucrative contracts, and they weren't. Sure an occasional player has been born and brought up on the islands and played for NZ, but as you say most are born and bred NZ.

What I would like to see is a stronger incentive for NZ born and bred islanders to play for there parents/grandparents nations. The only way I see this happening is if the Pacific Islanders are given there own status on a regular basis and island franchises are playing in the Super14. If that happens then top class rugby (and top class earnings) could be available outside of the NZ route, something that may tempt a few and strengthen the islands generally. If this isn't done then I suspect island rugby will struggle more and more, leaving many players no option but to move abroad to play rugby at the highest level.

Due to my personal experience of mixed loyalties I don't care if a player is born and raised for a thousand generations, or if they have never been to a country before being picked. What I care about is getting as many strong teams in the world cup as possible, and making sure that a players source of income allows their head to match their hearts. To do this we need to be sure that the Pacific Islands have a strong income stream in their own right, my choice would be for franchises in the Super 14 tournament and a combined Pacific Islanders team. I am not from the Pacific Islands so I don't know if they think this will help, although for the record I went to Vanuatu once.

I don't think it is NZ problem, it is Rugby's problem, and the IRB should be the guardian of Rugby. I think the rules are just fine now so what I want is meaningful games that make money for the Pacific Islands, and to make sure they benefit unlike the chaos previously. On another point I know the RFU are putting support in to North America via the Churchill Cup and related activity. Only the IRB can rise above the national interest, but hasn't done so effectively, yet.