Michalak in the southern hemisphere?

Question

What is french fly half Frederik Michalak doing playin for the sharks? Dont get me wrong i think he is an amazing fly half but why is he playing in the super 14? Are there any other players from countries other than New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa playing in the super 14?

Answer 1

New Zealand does allow players from other countries to play for their S14 teams , mostly from the Pacific Island nations.

Answer 2

Only RSA teams allow other nationalities to play S14.

Only kiwis and Aussies can play for NZ and Aus teams. The logic is that we develop local talent and make our national teams stronger.

Edit: I am pretty sure NZ does not allow Pacific Island players to play in the S14! The Kiwi S14 contracts are controlled by the NZRFU - must be Kiwi to play

The Pacific Island nations do however allow Kiwis to play for their National teams - like the 13 players in the last Samoan RWC team that were born in Auckland.

Exactly how the NZRFU "recruits" young Pacific Island talent is seen by some people as shady. Often young guys are picked for National age group teams and prompted to declare their intentions to play for New Zealand and not the Pacific Islands - hence clearing the way for selection and ensuring that New Zealand rugby is not spending money and time training and nurturing young players who have no intention of playing for New Zealand in the future.

Answer 3

You have to be a Kiwi to play in Aotearoa . Pacific islanders that have migrated and become Aotearoa residence or citizense are then allowed to play rugby in Aotearoa.

kia kaha