Quote: Beverley red "Why contrived? If people are happy to represent the country they choose what’s the problem, the boring code of our game seem to have no problem with it or with teams being way out of their depth. In fact they have made a big occasion out of their international set up which I am sure will attract yet more people into their game. All our fans seem to do is hunt out every negative they can find. The Aussies can’t even be bothered to play a touring side this year ( only a game against NZ as they were contracted to) I really do despair for the game I have followed for 60 years. I hope you have a good trip I was hoping to go but things have cropped up, at least it’s on TV.'"
Exactly.
The Japanese 30 man squad for the current collapsathon cup contains 12 "foreign" born players, from the Islands, NZ, Australia and South Africa, but do you hear Rugga fans bemoaning this use of foreign talent? Of course not, they applaud the team for topping their group and the Japanese fans have taken these foreign players as their own. Given Britain ruled half the planet, it's hardly surprising that their are heritage "foreign" players willing to put their hands up and if their good enough, then why not pick the best available.