All Black poaching?

Question

I completely respect the skills of the AB team, always have done. However, I think the other pacific island teams (Tonga, Samoa, Fiji) would fare much better though, if the up and coming players from these islands played for their own national team, instead of playing for ABs.

Seems maybe the ABs are taking the best players from these islands to play for them.

Anyone agree, or comment?

Answer 1

Have you ever been to New Zealand first off??  Then you would know that a lot of Pacific Islanders make up this beautiful country of New Zealand.  Auckland alone is the biggest Polynesian city in the world.  The All Blacks who were born in the Islands, moved here when they were only children for a better education and lifestyle, and they also lived and played provincial Rugby in New Zealand first before they became All Blacks.  Pacific Islanders who are born in this country and even grew up here as a child are proud New Zealanders.  It is a players choice to choose which team they want to play in, and most Polynesians who live here choose the All Blacks as first choice because they are Kiwis.

The core problem is not that the Islands lack talented players, because there is an abundance of talent living in the Islands.  Its the lack of funding, training facilities as well as not being a part of more International rugby competitions like the Super 14 or the Tri-nations.  Most of these players are working full time jobs, because theres no big salaries for being a professional Rugby player in the Islands.  If each team in the World Cup had the same funding, salaries per player, training facilities and were in International Rugby competitions like the super 14 or the Tri-nations. The Pacific Islands will no longer be the minnows of the tournament but become the strong Rugby giants that we know they can be.

Answer 2

What you say is absolutely true - just take one look at the All Blacks and you can see most of them are islanders.  You're right, in an ideal world it would be great to see them stay with their home country's team but I guess they get tempted by more money and betters training prospects in NZ?

Answer 3

if someone with ability plays good clean rugby, which is fun to watch and they are enjoying it, I don't care what team they play for.

Answer 4

Noone plays for the AB's who doesn't want to play for them!

Answer 5

New Zealand have a well earned reputation for this...but presently the nation with the most "poaches" is either scotland or Italy... Currently New Zealand have a lot more players playing for "other nations" than anyone else...

Answer 6

Put up or shut up.

Answer 7

I am in total agreement with you, they have been doing this for years, but now that the islanders seem to be developing their own style of rugger, hopefully they will stick with their country and not be tempted to go to NZ!

The AB's will not like it, but it will be interesting to see, if it does happen, how good the AB's will be then!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

Actually poaching in Rugby is quite common. Apparently the Aussies are interested in poaching some young up and coming potential Springboks and have been open about this intention to poach South African players.  Would seem that they need to, wouldnt it?  And this was BEFORE they lost yesterday.

Answer 9

We don't actually "poach" players. It is not like we send talent scouts over to the Pacific Island's and offer talented young players big contracts to come to NZ.

If you did some investigation into all of the current players in the AB squad, you will find that all of the players that were born outside of NZ have lived here the majority of their lives.

If a Samoan born child moves here by their choice, goes to our schools, plays in our rugby competitions then gets selected in our teams how is this "poaching"???

These players also have the option to play for their countries. A large number of the players for the Pacific Island nations at the RWC were actually born in New Zealand and play in our provincial competition.

Please explain how we poach players with some actual evidence. If you can come up with some proof that we poach players I will accept your statement. Until then... can you please be more informed before making such comments??