I've always hated this whole switching countries mentality. Using Rangi Chase playing for England as an example, what message does that send to young English lads growing up playing RL? You could be the best English half, but if we can get some bloke who's not good enough to play for his own country, you haven't got a shot. Great. Fantastic message to send.

Playing for your country should be for the pride of pulling on that shirt ahead of thousands of eager lads (or lasses) who would give everything to do the same. Not how much you're going to be paid or what team you can work your way into. If we allow players to continue swapping countries how much damage are we doing to that sense of pride in the shirt, the badge and the achievement? I'd rather have an average English lad pull on the shirt than an excellent Aussie who's just not quite good enough to pull on the green and gold. Every day of the week.

Once you've declared for a country, there should be no circumstance in which you're allowed to switch, IMO.

Indeed, to change your nationality, just to play international sport just make someone a mercenary, playing only for financial reward.
I know that lots of sports and many different nations allow it but, it doesn't make it right.

Once a person has represented their country (at any level) that should be it, no changing.

My thoughts exactly.

Your heart is talking sense.

Your head isn't.

The international game is already a laughing stock without players treating it like club rugby.

The reality is that Pacific Island nations are some of the poorest places on earth.
Any young guy from PNG, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga etc who gets a chance to earn a million dollars, or even a thousand dollars, will grab it with both hands in the blink of an eye.
Your first world perspective that they should put country before money is completely unrealistic.
Semi Radradra is a millionaire who plays for Australia. 3 years ago he probably earnt less than $5000 a year and lived in a hut with a dirt floor and no electricity.

There's an interesting BBC article published today on not too dissimilar activities in Union. m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37340730

There's an interesting BBC article published today on not too dissimilar activities in Union. m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37340730