Dual Nationality in Sport

[Shadow Demon UK]

There has been a fairly big debate over the past couple of days in Rugby League about dual nationality. Rangi Chase, a New Zealand born player, has made himself availabe to play for England after qualifying on residential grounds. He has been called up to the squad for the four nations tournamnet that takes place at the end of the season.

Is this right?

He only spoke a few months ago about how it would be a dream to be called up to the New Zealand squad, but is now saying he wants to play for the country he calls home (England). He's a great player and has just won the man of steel award (player of the year) and will improve the England side but is it right that he is taking the place of a true Englishman?

In my opinion he shouldn't be allowed to play for England purely on residential grounds. If he had family from England it wouldn't bother me as much, for example there are a few English cricketers who were not born in England but have English family and i'm fine with that. Living here for a few years shouldn't allow you to represent the country and take the place of players born here.

[denphone]

Look this Dual Nationality in sport has been used quite often in the last 10 years not just by England but by many other major countries and although l love it when talented English sportsmen come through l am not going to moan when talented foreign born players pledge themselves to England either.

[Russ]

I don't think Vinny Jones ever complained.

Wouldn't most English fans have preferred it if Ryan Giggs had made the "right" decision?

[gazzae]

Originally Posted by Russ

I don't think Vinny Jones ever complained.

Wouldn't most English fans have preferred it if Ryan Giggs had made the "right" decision?

There was no decision to make for Giggs, he was never eligible for England. He played for England at schoolboy level simply because he went to school in England.

Originally Posted by Russ

I don't think Vinny Jones ever complained.

Wouldn't most English fans have preferred it if Ryan Giggs had made the "right" decision?

And Ian Rush.

Thankfully Michael Owen did.

[Osem]

As has already been said, many countries allow people who've acquired residency to represent their national teams - the US and Australia are very good examples in addition to the UK. I don't have any problem with that and, given the stakes involved with international sport, I can't see it changing any time soon.

[Shadow Demon UK]

Don't you think it takes something away from a victory if you know half the players in the team aren't even from the country you are supporting, they're just rejects from other countries and weren't good enough to play for their first choice?

Dunno, ask Russ. Although, Wales would have to score a victory for him to know whether anything was taken away from it...

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK

Don't you think it takes something away from a victory if you know half the players in the team aren't even from the country you are supporting, they're just rejects from other countries and weren't good enough to play for their first choice?

That doesn't happen much with England, usually England will be their first choice.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK

Don't you think it takes something away from a victory if you know half the players in the team aren't even from the country you are supporting, they're just rejects from other countries and weren't good enough to play for their first choice?

The team is the team - by its nature the individuals take a very close second.

Originally Posted by Chris

Dunno, ask Russ. Although, Wales would have to score a victory for him to know whether anything was taken away from it...

And this is why the rest of the world enjoys an England defeat

[Shadow Demon UK]

Originally Posted by Damien

That doesn't happen much with England, usually England will be their first choice.

Yes, but in English teams, such as both the rugby union and league teams and the cricket team, they have players born in other countries but are playing for England on residential grounds because they weren't chosen for their home country.

I just think if a player won England a game and they weren't from England, or have any connection to England apart from living there for a couple of years, it would take something away from the victory.

Theoretically the English rugby team could just field a New Zealand B team with players not quite good enough for New Zealand but have lived in England for a few years, i wonder how people would view that.

[gazzae]

For the perfect example - Republic of Ireland football team circa 1994.