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'Disgusting' - furious backlash over potential World Cup absences
After it has been alleged that Samoan and Tongan players have been pressured into missing the World Cup this year in order to remain with their clubs in France’s Top 14, there has been a backlash from fans on Twitter.
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For Pacific Island players, the majority of their income comes from playing for their clubs, usually in France, meaning it is easier for the owners and senior figures to coerce players into avoiding the tournament which could occupy the first three months of the season for some players.
However, many fans have taken to Twitter calling for action to be taken by World Rugby to avoid this happening. This is something that has happened every World Cup, and in order for the competition to develop, the Tier Two teams need to field their best teams. However, this is just not possible if the European clubs keep hold of some players from Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
Already this year, star Fijian players Nemani Nadolo and Timoci Nagusa, both of whom play for Montpellier, announced their retirement from international rugby, meaning they remain with their clubs. At only 31 years of age, Nadolo would have been a great asset to Fiji, as the 20 stone winger has been one of Europe’s most deadly players over the past few seasons.
Compared to Samoa and Tonga, Fiji perhaps slightly more strength in depth, meaning the loss of a few players may not affect the team too severely. However, if the other two were to lose some of their star players, it could have catastrophic consequences for their performance.
Former Samoa internationals Dan Leo and Junior Poluleuligaga have also voiced their opinion, with Poluleuligaga describing the state of affairs as “deja vu”. During their careers, they may have encountered these pressures, particularly as more money is pumped into the game.
This is what has been said:
Yep, Same old aye uso.
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) June 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/MalcolmMolver/status/1140589914196709376?s=20
Disgusting @WorldRugby sort it out.
— Jason Mc Nelis (@JasonRMcNelis) June 17, 2019
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@brettgosper @WorldRugby we need an absolutely crystal clear and unequivocal statement answering this. I would suggest significant fines and points deductions for any teams doing this.
— Niall Collins (@Colliniho) June 16, 2019
Now that's really unfair isn't it!@WorldRugby DO SOMETHING!? Oh wait…y'all don't care. Smh
— KingShakaZulu'sDaughter✊🏿❤ (@Thembileeh) June 17, 2019
Every 4 years we hear the same thing. @WorldRugby and @brettgosper do nothing
— Have we got a 3rd tier yet? (@IBloodyLuvRugby) June 16, 2019
This is a reoccurring issue from past World Cups which would have an impact of the integrity of #RWC2019 if some nations do not have access to their players. This may not affect Tier 1 Nations however will to lower tiers. @WorldRugby @IntRugbyPlayers please address this issue https://t.co/E67djuWn4u
— Fosi Pala'amo (@PALAAF) June 16, 2019
Disgusting and disrespectful.. every sportsperson at any sport should be able to represent their country at the highest level.. n you can't get any higher than the World Cup Finals #respect https://t.co/hK0cUSZdOQ
— Andy (@andyturton70) June 16, 2019
It's fair enough if clubs decide against signing players as they may be unavailable for a significant part of the season. But to sign a player knowing their international status and then basically blackmail players to give it up is disgusting. https://t.co/UFbFyI3rbA
— Colin McBride (@colin_a_mcbride) June 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/PhilJ0606/status/1140194234055761920?s=20
World Rugby has already come under fire this year over their treatment of the Pacific nations with their proposal of Nations League. Therefore, to prevent further maltreatment of these players, fans are calling for World Rugby to intervene.
Of course, this leaves many players in an awkward position whereby they must choose between representing their country and earning enough money, and there are not any measures to alleviate this problem. But that does not stop this from being something that has concerned fans for a long time.
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Comments on RugbyPass
One that will start to come up from now on is penalties for back pushes during kick chase scrambles. Very difficult to detect. In Croke Park if you replay the Hendy NH try, you will see Furbank push Porter in the back, who collides with Larmour knocking the ball across into Hendy’s path to dot down. A more significant example was in the RWC QTR final where Arendse pushes Fickou into two other French players for the ball to spill into Arendse’s path for him to gather and run in to score SAs first try. Not cheating if you are not caught and very difficult to spot but with kicking becoming so critical I feel its an area that will referreeed/TMOes more.
3 Go to commentsWhat a pathetic little twit Andy Goode is, as if we care what he thinks…..😂
105 Go to commentsFoxy has been a wonderful player for the Scarlets and Wales.
1 Go to commentsNika the Georgian is the best referee in the world at the moment. Luckily we will be spared the shite SH refs and Barnes will hopefully remain retired given how shite and embarrassing he was at the RWC.
3 Go to commentsThis is the most exciting game of the summer imo, as we really won’t know in advance how both teams are going to play. - Will Robertson just reproduce his Crusaders tactics from last year, or will there be a conscious effort to borrow from the Hurricanes and Blues, and from the aspects of the ABs world cup strategy that worked well? - England under Borthwick have put in some good performances playing attacking rugby, and some good performances playing kick-oriented defensive rugby. Will Borthwick try to merge them together into a single all-court game, or will he continue switching between different approaches depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition?
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
9 Go to commentsFinals are always tense affairs for the players so I do not expect this to be a spectacle of running rugby unfortunately.
3 Go to commentsBulls***': Ex-England international calls out Eben Etzebeth… Not to his face but from very far away… after he’d left. Checked to make sure he wasn’t in the building.
105 Go to commentsHopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
3 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
105 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to comments