Rugby: Disquiet on residency rules

Willie Ripia's move to the Western Force was conditional on him being available for the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images

The prospect of three New Zealanders and a South African playing for England this November against the All Blacks could induce more change to the eligibility laws.

A proposal to allow eligible players to swap from tier one (Six Nations, Tri Nations and Argentina) to tier two and below (rest of the world) is already being refined and is likely to be passed this year.

But a secondary movement could be launched to revisit the residency laws that allow players to be eligible if they live in one country for an unbroken stint of three years.

It's under that residency criteria that Riki Flutey, Dylan Hartley and Shontayne Hape have all gained caps for England.

All three are in England's elite player squad and are strong candidates to make the 22 to play the All Blacks at Twickenham on November 6.

There are also increasing calls for South African-born Hendre Fourie to win a start at flanker now that he has been elevated into the elite player squad. Potentially, almost one third of England's starting XV might not be English.

Flutey, Hartley and Hape all grew up in New Zealand, with the former a proud representative of the Colts and Maori teams and the latter a rugby league international with the Kiwis.

There are a growing number of administrators who believe the current laws do much to damage the credibility of international rugby.

The issue of residency is now being discussed as part of the wider drive to improve the existing eligibility laws.

Rob Nichol, of the New Zealand Players Association, says there has to be a way to cater for people who shift country and commit their lives somewhere they weren't born or don't have parental heritage.

"But maybe the three-year residency isn't the right way," he says.

Some of the options that will come up for consideration are toughening the residency route to those who become citizens or hold passports. Eligibility will be put to an IRB vote in November and the issue is creating debate in rugby circles.

Those who support the concept of allowing players to switch allegiance after a one-year stand down say it has noble intentions.

The purpose is to immediately strengthen a number of countries, particularly the Pacific Islands, who would be able to select players no longer wanted by the All Blacks such as Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo, Sam Tuitupou and Chris Masoe.

The proposed change reflects the complexity of modern life where many Polynesian players feel as close to Samoa, Tonga or Fiji as they do to New Zealand. They might grow up in New Zealand but their lives will be heavily influenced by Pacific culture and tradition.

For many players who have dual nationality, it is a tough call deciding which way to commit - though the financial lure and prestige of the All Blacks usually wins out.

Yet, while there is empathy and logic in the proposal, as well as potential to better the global standing of several developing nations, there has been opposition in some quarters.

Arguments have been made that allowing players to switch allegiance will cheapen the value of test jerseys and damage the credibility of the game. But some of those nations who have made that point are happy to field men who didn't grow up in the country they represent and never dreamed of playing for the country they represent.

Allowing players to be eligible based on residency is, arguably, more damaging to the credibility of the international game than voting in favour of a return to representing two countries in a career.

Does anyone really consider Flutey, Hape or Hartley English? Did any of them really dream of playing for England before taking professional club contracts in the UK? Or what about Auckland-born Lesley Vainikolo of Tongan heritage, who has also recently worn the red rose? Is he English? Or World Cup winner Stuart Abbott, or Henry Paul, or Mark van Gisbergen - were they English?

There are other fears behind the desire to axe residency as a means of gaining caps.

New Zealand lost Willie Ripia to the Western Force last week and his contract was conditional on him committing his allegiance to Australia.

Only six weeks ago, he was playing for the Maori, dreaming of being an All Black and now he's talking about being a Wallaby purely because the Force stuck a pile of cash in front of him.

Club contracts are being used, not just by Australians, as a means of luring young talent and enticing them to make themselves available for the country they will be moving to.

France tried to do the same thing with New Zealand's Philemon Toleafoa and Ireland have done it with former Marlborough player Jeremy Manning.