Why such a gulf between All Blacks and other Polenesian Rugby Nations?

Question

With the success of the junior All Blacks taking the title again, it seems the Blacks could easily field three competetive international sides. The game certainly suits this small nation, so why are the other polynesion nations, such as Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, etc., no where near to these competetive high standards?

Answer 1

No its because if NZ see a talented Polynesian they tie them up in a binding contract which means they are exclusive property of the All Blacks.  Top teams like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will always struggle against that kind of competition.  They care nothing of the smaller struggling nations and of developing the sport to a wider auidence and creating a far stronger rugby base.

Answer 2

Probably because traditionally,the best players from Fiji,Samoa and Tonga often opted to play their rugby in new zealand for many reasons,mainly because in NZ there are professional leagues and facilities that are not available in those countries mentioned.Secondly,money.In nz players are paid

a LOT more than those players from the countries mentioned and are playin grugby full time,whereas

in fiji say,the would be part time.And lastly,the most obious reason,why would a player from the countries abovewant to play for a second tier team when they can play for the best team in the world?So,the is the reason why there is friction between these nations and why NZ are better than them.

cheers

Answer 3

The real reason is money.  New Zealand Rugby has a big enough budget to develope their players from their late teens onwards.  Once you are at this age, it takes more than natural talent to progress to a world class player.  Additionally (and I say this being a huge all blacks fan)  The all blacks have always had very talented polynesians in their squad.  Rokocoko, Sivivatu, Umanga, Jerry Collins, these are all recent players who owe their ethnic decendancy to a polynesian nation.

Answer 4

Fijian and tongan citizens can get residence in NZ though a visa called "Pacific Access Category" (PAC)?

The PAC allows 250 citizens of Fiji, 75 citizens of Kiribati, 75 citizens of Tuvalu, and 250 citizens of Tonga to be granted residence in New Zealand each year.



Salary and better teams mean NZ gets the pick off the bunch.

Answer 5

cause of nz rugby facilities and special coaching. Age grade teams are started quite early on and most boys in nz want to be all blacks.

Answer 6

agreed, but you have to remember that many of the islanders best players are poached by European teams and even NZ teams, so it's hard to field a full strength team for many of them.  Secondly money that don't have the money for the type of training, coaching and infrastructure that most professional teams have (don't get me started on the IRB and there allocation of money) and thirdly they have much smaller player bases to work on, finding large forwards is no problems but nifty inside back is as hard as finding a second rower in Japan.