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TonyH wrote:My opinion is this.

He stayed with Cas cause he couldnt move to another Super League club cause he would have to apply for another work permit (not sure what the rules are but I heard it somewhere)

He wouldnt get a visa to work in Aus so couldnt move there and NZ Warriors are the only team in NZ but didn't want him.

That's just what I think. :doz:

:eusa2: :eusa2:

English fury over Chase selection

Rugby league legend Garry Schofield has blasted the selection of Rangi Chase in England's Four Nations train-on squad - just four months after he played against them.

Chase, who this week won the Super League's Man of Steel award as the competition's best player, played for the Exiles in the international Origin match against England in June in Leeds.

However the former St George Illawarra player has decided to switch his allegiance from New Zealand to England.

"It maybe in the rules but, morally, this is bullshit," Schofield fumed.

The rules regarding international eligibility in rugby league have for a long time ranged from rubbery to farcical.

And the Chase situation is certainly not going to help the credibility of the sport at international level.

The Castleford star, who has never played for New Zealand, qualified under residency grounds in the UK despite playing for the Maoris against England last year.

"England, in particular Castleford, is my home now and I want to lay my long-term roots here," said the 25-year-old.

"Getting selected for England will be my greatest honour.

"I have an English girlfriend and signing a new contract with Castleford, last week, was a big deal for me. I don't want to play anywhere else.

"I have resurrected my life in England and feel more at ease here than anywhere else in the world.

"I spend all my time at home and don't go back to New Zealand in the off-season."

Australia open this year's Four Nations competition against New Zealand on October 28 in Warrington.

http://www.nrl.com/english-fury-over-ch ... ault.aspx?

Chase 'shocked' by award
Tigers half-back did not expect to be named Man of Steel

Castleford stand-off Rangi Chase says he was "shocked" to be awarded the Super League Man of Steel award ahead of Sam Tomkins and James Roby.

The 25-year-old fought off competition from the Wigan full-back and St Helens hooker to claim the most prestigious individual award in domestic rugby league.

Chase came out on top after the closest poll yet of Super League players, who have determined the destination of the award for the last four years.

And he revealed that he was happy to merely be on the shortlist of three and was not expecting to be the overall winner.

"I was shocked. I wasn't expecting it, the way Sam Tomkins and James Roby had played this year. It's unbelievable for me," Chase said.

"I was overwhelmed to get into the last three. I said, 'that will do for me. If I do win, it would be an absolute bonus'. I'm over the moon.

"It's been a good year for me. I'm certainly getting better. I'm more mature as a player. This year was about being consistent, that was my goal and I think I did it. Next year I've got to set new targets.

Challenge

"Hopefully my best is yet to come. I'll keep pushing myself and challenging myself to be a better player."

New Zealand-born Chase was given the award on the same day that he made a surprising choice to switch his international allegiance to England on residency grounds.

The former Junior Kiwi, who has recently played against England for both New Zealand Maori and the Exiles, gave further explanation for his decision at the gala dinner in Manchester.

"This is what I call home so I'm privileged to be in the squad," he said.

"I didn't have to think too hard about it. I came over here knowing that I'll never get picked for New Zealand. So that dream had gone.

"I thought I'd wait five years and then I found out it was three so I got in touch with Steve McNamara straight away and told him my feelings about it.

"This is home for me now, I've settled down here now. By the time my contract is up I will have been here nearly 10 years. I can't see myself going anywhere else in a hurry."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,12196_7222981,00.html

This is a rarity for me - I agree with Big Fat Gary.

TonyH wrote:My opinion is this.

He stayed with Cas cause he couldnt move to another Super League club cause he would have to apply for another work permit (not sure what the rules are but I heard it somewhere)

He wouldnt get a visa to work in Aus so couldnt move there and NZ Warriors are the only team in NZ but didn't want him.

That's just what I think. :doz:

My thoughts exactly Tony.

This is a RFL/Castleford collaboration to enable Chase to get a new Visa/Work Permit - end of

Putting all the political and moral aspects to one side, he is going to be playing in an England shirt and we all ought to be cheering him. I'd rather he played for us than against us and he hasn't broken any rules.

I do have a slight agenda in this debate in that I was born in NZ but have lived in the UK since I was 6 months old. I consider myself to be British but would have no issue with anyone who felt that I should consider myself to be a Kiwi. It's a matter of opinion but I think a matter of opinion mainly for the individual in question.

What I think is that he's acted within the rules set out in front of him and made a decision to play for England. I'm sure if a certain B Marshall didn't exist, then he may not make this decision but he has. It's his opportunity to play for the country in which he's lived for some time and probably his only crack at International RL.

AND he's one hell of a good player!!!!

And my wife has just read this over my shoulder and said, "I see your point but I agree with the others." :conf:

cherry.pie wrote:

Kiwiseddon wrote:Putting all the political and moral aspects to one side, he is going to be playing in an England shirt and we all ought to be cheering him. I'd rather he played for us than against us and he hasn't broken any rules.

I do have a slight agenda in this debate in that I was born in NZ but have lived in the UK since I was 6 months old. I consider myself to be British but would have no issue with anyone who felt that I should consider myself to be a Kiwi. It's a matter of opinion but I think a matter of opinion mainly for the individual in question.

What I think is that he's acted within the rules set out in front of him and made a decision to play for England. I'm sure if a certain B Marshall didn't exist, then he may not make this decision but he has. It's his opportunity to play for the country in which he's lived for some time and probably his only crack at International RL.

AND he's one hell of a good player!!!!

And my wife has just read this over my shoulder and said, "I see your point but I agree with the others." :conf:

You were raised in this country and the decision to move was not one you chose as an adult. If Steve McNamara called you up to the England side (it's possible) there wouldn't be an issue because this is where you were raised. This country played a significant role in your upbringing.
With Chase, he was born and raised in NZ and moved to this country by choice to further his career but was committed to playing for NZ just 4 months ago.

I don't think there's a right or wrong on this issue really, it's just a matter of opinions but I think the 'residency rule' should require 5 years in the country to qualify for the national team, as it's 5 years before you can gain citizenship if I'm not mistaken.

Well said :eusa2:

Cherry I think you've got a very good point.

I think Chase was a long way back in the NZ pecking order,
so he bailed on his Maori heritage :doz:
The residency rule - the grand parent rule - the 'some pacific islanders' rule ?
These are all cop outs that allow mediocre coaches/selectors to deny young locally born players their birthright :sly:
I'll be cheering for the Roos anyhow - I've lived in AUS since I was 16 - I guess 45 years makes me a 'resident' right

Maybe when he drops out of contention for England/GB, he will sign for les cats and play for the French under residency rules?

Then Malta,

Then Russia...

Whole thing is as big a joke as the international scene. If the RFL really wanted to improve England's performance by bringing in someone from outside the UK into this under covered, meaningless Oz / NZ shoot out that this tournament is, then they should hire Wayne Bennett.

How on earth are they expecting England to win anything with rubber lips McNamara in charge?

Most RL fans are only interested in their clubs; hence the booing of Sam in the Exiles match. This is a money spinner to make the RFL a bit of extra cash - Heaven only knows what they actually do with the money they make...