Polynesians in the NRL?

Question

I find it really interesting that they say by 2012, more than 50% of players in the NRL will be from polynesian backgrounds. i think thats pretty awesome since im half tongan myself.

But what does this mean for SoO? On the footy show they were saying these islanders come from NZ etc, which is not true. most are born here and grow up here like Folau and Mason. So infact, your going to see more polynesians in the SoO. But what does this mean? you wont see much white people there so would that change your perception about it? It will be like the all star game in the NBA which is dominated by black people with a few white people in the mix, its the same with the NFL Pro Bowl where the black people dominate. They were saying white kids might be turned off because they cant compete with the islanders which i think is bollshit because half my team was white and the other half black and we got along fine. if anything it will make the white kids try harder and make the game more competitive

Answer 1

I think the whole state of international allegiances is messed up at the moment, and really hope that by the time the next world cup rolls around that they've have sorted it all out.

As for the polynesians, I don't really care. As long as all players are treated equally in terms of race, then I don't see a problem at all. I agree with what Matty Johns said about the juniors though; that they should bring back the 5m rule and the skill factor and not just focus on the big hits (which is, anyway, just promoting the 'thug' image of the game). About white kids being scared away, the parents who pull their kids out of teams because of that reason are full of sh t. It's character building and it'll do them some good to get out of their cotton wool world and mix with different kids. In modern society where the kids are taught that all humans are equal, I don't think they'll feel any more competitive than normal anyway.

State of Origin is a tricky matter. I do get that a lot of the polynesian kids come over here at a young age, so they would understand the origin concept, but really, it still comes back to allegiances. If you play for NSW, then you represent and feel pride for them and it follows logically that the next step from that is Australian representation and pride. Playing for NSW and NZ, for example, would be a contradiction (in my humble opinion). Although, in all fairness, if the kid played for NSW as a junior, I'd say more than once so it's not just a fluke, then perhaps some kind of exception needs to be made. maybe. It will be interesting to see how the NRL tackle this...

Answer 2

Top question Dude...

The footy show was actually bordering on being racist... The people in charge should worry about the league NRL and not worry about the Australian team not being able to dominate the KIWI's...

I am surprised the footy show idiots didn't suggest lets have an annual black on white game. WOO HOO FOR RACIAL PREJUDICE... Just shut up and play the games boys. If the Poly's are better players they deserve to be there. The Aussies will have to step up to make the cut. SIMPLE

Answer 3

Some of the Metro junior league comps are already starting to run weight divisions instead of age divisions to keep kids of the same size playing together. This helps to keep the smaller, junior players safer and in the game for longer.  

As for senior players, just look at the little guys like Brett Hodgson, Nathan Friend and Preston Campbell, just to name a few, who charge into the big guys all game. There will allways be the tough little guys (of all backgrounds), no matter how many big blokes there are.

I dont beleive the perception of State of Origin will change either, as long as its good, tough footy and the Qld, NSW rivalry still means something, the game will be loved just as much.

Answer 4

Mason was born in NZ, Auckland to be exact.

Answer 5

The only way I can see them losing "white" players is in the junior years. I grew up in Bankstown, so it was an area dominated by Lebanese and Islanders - in terms of junior rugby league. There is no denying one fact - Islanders / Lebanese mature earlier in terms of body structure - so a 13 to 14 yr old Islander / Lebanese can have a beard and and / or weigh in at at 105kg. I knew a lot of parents who pulled there kids out of league at that sort of age - as where was the fairness in watching a team with essentially grown men, run over and smash a team of 13 yr old boys weighing a maximum of 70kg - mostly less - I think i was between 45 to 50kg until my growth spurt at 16 put me at 90kg. Didn't mean I wasn't a good athlete (ranked second in the state for 400m, 800m at the time) - but not pleasant stopping a guy at least twice my weight and being only 13 - you do lack confidence somtimes.

So in some junior areas - yes - I think they will need to monitor to see if they are losing a large section of people who want to play. The bush will still produce great players, as they do not face this problem.

It all evens out by the 18 to 20 yr mark - but the juniors ie 12, 13, 14, 15's I can see why they would lose some talent.

Answer 6

SoO selection is determined by were you play your junior football (new south wales or that other state) so it doesn't matter where you were born or what colour you are, or what religion you follow.

the facts are::: E:G, if you play your junior footy in new south wales, and CHOOSE NOT to play for your country of origin........(ie) new Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, png or were ever you will be eligable to play state of origin!

SBW cant play SoO because he chose to represent his country of origin (NZ).

i dont think the game will be dominated by polynesians in the future my reason is, they say there is a lot of polynesians playing juniors, but when you think how many juniors continue with the game and make it to the top grade (NRL), theres not alot. and i dont believe the kids that do make it will mostly be polynesian, they will be from all walks of life.

Answer 7

well not to be offensive i just think white people aren't as good as athletes when compared to african people or polynesians. so eventually there will be a domination but they should keep a rule to protect white interests, so that they dont go to p***y sports like afl or soccer. Possible make it that no more than half the team can be of polynesian decent.

Answer 8

What's all the fuss about Polynesians for?

It's stupid!

Just follow the rules for State of Origin selection, and if the Polynesians played junior football in NSW or QLD, then they should be candidates for selection. Who cares about different races? It's should be about which individual players are the best at the sport. I hate hearing people talk about Polynesians dominating Rugby League as if it's a terrible disaster. It's just part of life that they're bigger and stronger, and others will just have to match them with skill.

Answer 9

I don't care where they come from or who they are, so long as they can play footy! We've had some great Polynesians over the years, & I know they put 150% effort into their games as a rule, so bring them on! Anyway, I don't see how anyone can predict who will be playing or where they originate from at any time in the future.

Answer 10

yeah i dont have a problem with them playin in the nrl at all, i dont think their better players just coz their from a diff background it just depends on ur individual skill levels ... but i dont think they shuld play state of origin.. it has always been for australians only against the two states and that cant be changed bcoz of the new poly players comin threw.. thatd be just wreckin the history & future of the great event

Answer 11

Basically, as a non-Polynesian, I don't really care either way. As long as they're not d*ckheads and are good at footy I'll support them.

My favourite players are Hunt (Cook Islands/Samoa/NZ) and Lockyer (country kid from Roma in south-west Qld). And in union I like Quade Cooper and Chris Latham.

As long as they're from Qld I'll support them!

Answer 12

watching polys play league makes me smile @ the end of the day I JUST LUV THE GAME^-^