How are players picked to play for their nation team?

Question

How are players picked to play for their nation team?

Answer 1

In the case of bigger nations there will be a 'National Selection Committee' typically comprised of the Head Coach, Development Chairman, and Manager of the national team.

Throughout a season this committee will assess the abilities of all players in their selection pool. For example, in the case of New Zealand;

All national team players (all blacks) will typically be selected from National Provincial Championship or Super 14 sides, as these are considered to be the 'pinnacle' of rugby in the country. It is also fairly easy for a selection committee to choose players from this pool as teams will play every week, giving the assessors a good idea of their abilities.

This is, however, not the be all and end all of selection. A selection committee will also look at a nation's U21 team, and the 7's program (something that is being utilized more and more in the selection of full national representatives). Using New Zealand as an example; Johna Lomu, Christian Cullen, Tana Umanga, and a host of other extremely successful All Blacks, made their international debuts at the Hong Kong 7's where their skills gave them a fast track to the full 15's side.

Generally though, a selection committee will tend to pull players from a nations bigger professional clubs, as it is expected that these athletes will have the skills and abilities needed to preform on the world stage. In fact, a number of Unions (NZ, Wales, Australia, etc.) have a selection policy that clearly states that only players currently living and playing in their home country are eligible for selection to the national squad.

This helps to promote rugby, give a wide selection pool, create a higher class of contest for those spots inside the nation (Dan carter, for example, is now inelligable to play for the All Blacks since he moved to Europe), and allow the selection committee to have easy access to the best the country can offer.

When a selection committee has picked what it deems to be the best players, it will then invite the athletes to a training camp where the ultimate team is decided. Typically there will be a split in the camp where players are divided into two teams; Probables vs Possibles. And from there it is left up to the individual players to prove that they deserve a space on the team.

And that is how you pick your international squad

Answer 2

theres a commitee whos chooses them

Answer 3

you have to be friends of the pickers