Post by sportsmad on Nov 4, 2009 10:42:03 GMT 10
Above: RLIF Chairman Colin Love
By STEVE MASCORD
International Federation bosses have tightened qualification regulations in the face of mounting criticism over players switching countries too often.
rugbyleague.com can reveal that the Rugby League International Federation executive meeting in Paris has decided to rescind a provision allowing players to change their election to another country after representing one in a World Cup qualifier.
"We have tightened it up a little - once you play in a World Cup qualifier for one country, you cannot switch to another for the World Cup," RLIF executive chairman Colin Love told us.
"There won't be the provision to apply to change. It just won't be permitted."
Had the rule applied for the 2008 World Cup, New Zealand would not have been able to take Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki on tour to Europe in 2007 while Tonga's Feleti Mateo would have been disqualified from Australian selection for three years.
Moimoi and Tuiaki applied to change their eligibility a second time for RLWC08 and when denied, took legal action and were cleared by the courts to return to then Tongan side - but only if it made the semi-finals, which it did not.
Love said the rule did not affect players who represented a country in Test series or tournaments with no World Cup bearing, nor would it stop the likes of Jarryd Hayne and Neville Costigan playing State of Origin and going on to represent another nation.
"But all players who play Origin must, in the first instance, be available for Australia," he said.
Players who want to change to another country after representing one in a non-World Cup game must still apply to the RLIF.
Hayne and Michael Jennings playing for Fiji and Tonga respectively just 12 months ago and then appearing in the Gillette Four Nations for Australia has confused some commentators.
The RLIF considers the period between World Cups as a "cycle" with all players allowed to change their election at the end of that cycle.
Australia, New Zealand, England, France and Papua New Guinea do not need to play qualifiers - meaning the younger nations can still call up players from those nations who miss section for a World Cup.
The makeup and format of the next World Cup will be discussed in Paris next week.
By STEVE MASCORD
International Federation bosses have tightened qualification regulations in the face of mounting criticism over players switching countries too often.
rugbyleague.com can reveal that the Rugby League International Federation executive meeting in Paris has decided to rescind a provision allowing players to change their election to another country after representing one in a World Cup qualifier.
"We have tightened it up a little - once you play in a World Cup qualifier for one country, you cannot switch to another for the World Cup," RLIF executive chairman Colin Love told us.
"There won't be the provision to apply to change. It just won't be permitted."
Had the rule applied for the 2008 World Cup, New Zealand would not have been able to take Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki on tour to Europe in 2007 while Tonga's Feleti Mateo would have been disqualified from Australian selection for three years.
Moimoi and Tuiaki applied to change their eligibility a second time for RLWC08 and when denied, took legal action and were cleared by the courts to return to then Tongan side - but only if it made the semi-finals, which it did not.
Love said the rule did not affect players who represented a country in Test series or tournaments with no World Cup bearing, nor would it stop the likes of Jarryd Hayne and Neville Costigan playing State of Origin and going on to represent another nation.
"But all players who play Origin must, in the first instance, be available for Australia," he said.
Players who want to change to another country after representing one in a non-World Cup game must still apply to the RLIF.
Hayne and Michael Jennings playing for Fiji and Tonga respectively just 12 months ago and then appearing in the Gillette Four Nations for Australia has confused some commentators.
The RLIF considers the period between World Cups as a "cycle" with all players allowed to change their election at the end of that cycle.
Australia, New Zealand, England, France and Papua New Guinea do not need to play qualifiers - meaning the younger nations can still call up players from those nations who miss section for a World Cup.
The makeup and format of the next World Cup will be discussed in Paris next week.
