Re: GP semi-final results and comments



"Keegan" <rugby@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:298af5be-3f1a-4c54-9721-0253b2c3aaf8@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On May 11, 12:09 pm, "Simon S-B" <baitt...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"Andrew Dunford" <adunf...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:76qjrpF1eba0fU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx





> "didgerman" <didger...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:gu8gjb$p9h$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Andrew Dunford wrote:

>>> "Lodi" <l...@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>>news:gu8f5r$gsl$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>> Simon S-B wrote:

>>>>> They've unearthed a gem in Hape,
>>>>> and with a few more games under his belt I think he'll be in with a
>>>>> Saxons
>>>>> shot.

>>>> Is Hape still eligible for the Saxons even though he's already
>>>> represented
>>>> NZ at Rugby League. Or doesn't that matter.

>>> AFAIK it doesn't matter. See Paul, H.

>> It doesn't matter, you're right. But it would still raise a few doubts
>> around Twickers.
>> He's been here 6 years though, twice as long as he needs to be. Given >> the
>> amount of time he's lived here and crucially the amount of Union
>> he's played here, you'd have to be a cold *** not to let him play >> for
>> England if he wanted to.

> It's pointless moralising about the qualification rules - I dislike
> certain aspects of them intensely but blame nobody for working within
> them.

> I can't see any reason for doubt in the corridors of power. Hape has
> lived in the UK for twice as long as Flutey and it's not as though he'd > be
> the first league convert to be picked either. Perhaps being named
> Shontayne might be reason enough.

> Not sure what you mean about the number of matches he's played - this > is
> his first season isn't it? The one question I'd ask is how ready he'd > be
> considering how recently he switched. The downside of picking up NZ
> retreads in this manner is that they're usually getting on a bit.
> Presumably the Vainikolo experience might also sound a note of caution.

> Andrew

To me he's more qualified as he's had all of his union education at Bath,
which is not something we can say about Flutey who learned his trade in NZ.


No, he learned his footballing skills in NZ and represented NZ at
Rugby League for 4 years. He didn't pick up the oval ball this year,
he's an experienced player.

Look. Under the current rules he can play for England, no
complaints, but don't consider him anything more than a mercenary. If
he hadn't been paid to play in the UK he wouldn't be there in the
first place....

A fact which is amplified by an interview he gave about 18 months ago in which he said he wanted his son to "grow up a proud kiwi" and pledged that the family would return to live in New Zealand by the time the child is five years old.

So there is no moral high ground for Hape, as there was none for Flutey, Vainikolo, or numerous All Blacks such as Sivivatu, Steve Devine, Rawlinson etc. The "place of rugby education" argument is bollocks in my opinion.

I hope his knees hold up - three reconstructions to date.

Andrew

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