Nash the Shark
Grey Nurse
Big Lesley has been drafted into the English Rugby UNION squad for the forthcoming 6 nations matches :0 
Vianaikolo
- Thread starter Nash the Shark
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peachey
One of a kind
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wait...isnt he a kiwi? i thought he would of chosen the All Blacks
Megashark
Jaws
Shades of Henry Paul, although his eligibility came from an English-born grandparent rather than through residency. Either way, farcical in my opinion that a player can represent one country in one code, and a different country in another code. Damages the credibility of both sports, especially rugby union whose followers are endlessly claiming it to be a genuinely global sport, and also illustrates the lack of depth of talent in that code. Vainikolo has only been playing union for a matter of months but is already leading tryscorer in the English competition and has now earned selection at international level, while I wouldn't mind betting that in Australia Timana Tahu will gain Wallaby selection in his debut season in rugby union as well.
peachey
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least tahu will be playing for the same country..
thats the problem with all rep teams.. league - Origin n International, Yawnion - Int. , Soccer you have croatia stealing young aussies etc etc etc\
thats the problem with all rep teams.. league - Origin n International, Yawnion - Int. , Soccer you have croatia stealing young aussies etc etc etc\
Megashark
Jaws
He is actually Tongan, although he represented the Kiwis at international level. And as for him "choosing" the All Blacks, that's not possible as candidates must be playing rugby union in NZ and contracted to the NZRU to be eligible for selection.
brad
Great White
brad thorn did the same and could do it again as he has gone back to the crusaders.
on thing i have always questioned is how did tonie carroll play for australia when he played for NZ in the world cup?
on thing i have always questioned is how did tonie carroll play for australia when he played for NZ in the world cup?
Megashark
Jaws
I know that has been the case before in the past, but does that also apply to this year's World Cup?
Megashark
Jaws
It's the first time i've heard of Vianaikolo as well (sorry Nash!
), but Lesley Vainikolo on the other hand, is a fast and powerful winger who has played Test matches for the NZ, in the NRL for the Warriors and Canberra, and for Bradford Bulls in the Super League. Has always shown a pretty good ability to get over the tryline, and will be a big loss to our game.
Nash the Shark
Grey Nurse
How ever he spells it its a fine old English name i feel lets hope he finds his England Union feet quicker than Andy Farrel who took a while ...not that I watch much Union
lets hope he finds his England Union feet quicker than Andy Farrel who took a while ...not that I watch much Union
Megashark
Jaws
So Nash, what do you reckon is the real reason behind these guys switching codes? This is a question which has puzzled me for quite some time.
Is it purely financial? Surely the amount of money on offer for top players in the Super League, especially from the big clubs such as Leeds, Wigan, Bradford and St Helens is comparable to the salaries of the top players in the English rugby union competition? I know that there is a salary cap in place in the Super League, but I understand this is significantly higher then the one in use in the NRL.
Both Vainikolo and Farrell came out with the line that they they were switching to union for the challenge as they had achieved everything there was to achieve in rugby league. But I don't think for one minute that they really believe this to be true. I would have thought that playing in an NRL premiership-winning side would have been a not insignificant achievement, and the ultimate challenge. How many established rugby union players are switching to rugby league these days, let alone citing the challenge as the reason for doing so?
Incidentally, I see that Chev Walker and Karl Pryce, both of whom switched to rugby union last year, are already back in the Super League.
Is it purely financial? Surely the amount of money on offer for top players in the Super League, especially from the big clubs such as Leeds, Wigan, Bradford and St Helens is comparable to the salaries of the top players in the English rugby union competition? I know that there is a salary cap in place in the Super League, but I understand this is significantly higher then the one in use in the NRL.
Both Vainikolo and Farrell came out with the line that they they were switching to union for the challenge as they had achieved everything there was to achieve in rugby league. But I don't think for one minute that they really believe this to be true. I would have thought that playing in an NRL premiership-winning side would have been a not insignificant achievement, and the ultimate challenge. How many established rugby union players are switching to rugby league these days, let alone citing the challenge as the reason for doing so?
Incidentally, I see that Chev Walker and Karl Pryce, both of whom switched to rugby union last year, are already back in the Super League.
wado
Grey Nurse
Who gives a ****, [ bloody rugby YAWN YAN ]
Shiredad
Great White
