Blues 2020
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@Machpants No, I think that's a misinterpretation of the regulations. It would be completely ridiculous if an injury such as Halaholo's would result in him falling under the 5 years residency rule instead of the 3 year rule, without anything having changed in his residency situation, only because the first test he could play would be after the cut-off date (which is, by the way, 31 December 2020, so Halaholo could still play before that date).
The "has completed sixty consecutive months of Residence immediately preceding the time of playing" part of Regulation 8.1 (c) must IMO be read in light of the rationale of the rules.
This is from the Explanatory Guidelines relating to World Rugby Regulation 8.
Moving forward, in the event that there is any uncertainty or the need for clarification in relation to the application of the eligibility criteria in particular circumstances, then the Regulations Committee may be asked by World Rugby to make a ruling on a Player’s eligibility. In relation to any such adjudication, the Regulations Committee will always have in mind the rationale behind Regulation 8. The aim of the Regulations Committee in each case where clarification may be required, is to establish whether, in all the circumstances, a Player has, by reference to the eligibility criteria in Regulation 8.1, been able to demonstrate a genuine, close and credible national link with the country that the Player wishes to represent.
The intent of the rules also become clear from this:
17 Does the 60⁶ month period of Residence set out in Regulation 8.1(c) have to immediately precede playing for a Union?
Save in exceptional circumstances, the 60 months⁷ Residence will be expected to have been completed consecutively and be achieved immediately before the Player represents a Union. This is designed to create a contemporary national link with the country of the Union concerned. This factor will be particularly significant if a Player has moved to make a “new” country his Residence having been Resident in another country previously. In essence, in such circumstances, the Player, as well as demonstrating his commitment to a new country, must also be (and seen to be) relinquishing his ties with the country in which he lived previously. For the avoidance of any doubt, in the context of Regulation 8.1(c), seeking to rely on short periods of Residence as a child in a particular country, combined with a short period of Residence in that same country prior to playing for a Union, is likely to create a link that would be too tenuous to satisfy the underlying intentions of establishing a contemporary, permanent, national link with a Union. However, each case will be assessed on its overall merits to establish if a Player is able to demonstrate a genuine, close, credible and established national link by reference to the amount of time the Player can demonstrate that he has treated the “new” country as his home and other relevant factors.
IMO the rule that residence has to be completed consecutively and immediately before playing means that the residency period immediately before playing cannot be interrupted by - for example - playing in another country for one season, because then that genuine, close, credible and established national link will be broken. If a player stays in the country (without playing for that country), that link still exists. It doesn't suddenly disappear when he doesn't get the opportunity to play for the national team of his adopted country.
It would, however, be a good idea for the players concerned and (in this case) NZR to ask WR for a clarification of this rule.
@Stargazer what you have said makes sense, but the regulations have been poorly worded. Legally even if, like say Johnny McNicol, you've already played for resident qualified country under the 3 year rule, nothing says that makes you exempt from the updated 5 year requirement that comes into force later. So he could, legally, play until 31 December, then not be allowed from next year until he then qualifies under the 5! Makes no sense but the regs are badly written.
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Is that Jack Straker from Northland, front right. The appeal has raised $93,000 in 4 days so far.
https://www.facebook.com/theblues/videos/2511197015793402/
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/alofa-mo-samoa@Daffy-Jaffy yes that is Straker, I think @Steven-Harris mentioned he was training with the teAm, he was in the dev side 2 seasons back as well I think.
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The Blues final training session for the year is a hit out against each other in five-a-side rugby. You’re invited to Blues HQ to watch!
Kicking off at 1:00pm on Thursday 19 December, with finals taking place at approx. 3:00pm. This is a free event – BYO sunscreen and soft drinks. Alcohol is not permitted.
Make your way to Alexandra Park to catch the action. There’s plenty of free parking on the gravel outside Blues HQ, enter off of Campbell Crescent and follow the signs to our training field!
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@KiwiMurph Rob recently signed with NRU as well.
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@Tim The best news I see from those teams is that apart from the All Blacks being away, the only main squad players who are not involved (so maybe carrying injuries) are Parsons, Cowley-Tuioti and Lamborn. Lets hope no more injuries come from this outing. I see Tele'a, Umaga, Macdonald and Halagahu are the only backs in their team with 6 forwards. They must hope to dominate possession so there is not much tackling to be done! (kick it then cover fullback while Tele'a and the forwards chase it). I wondered who they would bring in as openside cover - so it is Jacob Norris from Ta$man. I've only seen him play a couple of times but he looked busy and committed. Rapt to see AJ Lam involved. He potentially covers wing and midfield.
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@Tim The best news I see from those teams is that apart from the All Blacks being away, the only main squad players who are not involved (so maybe carrying injuries) are Parsons, Cowley-Tuioti and Lamborn. Lets hope no more injuries come from this outing. I see Tele'a, Umaga, Macdonald and Halagahu are the only backs in their team with 6 forwards. They must hope to dominate possession so there is not much tackling to be done! (kick it then cover fullback while Tele'a and the forwards chase it). I wondered who they would bring in as openside cover - so it is Jacob Norris from Ta$man. I've only seen him play a couple of times but he looked busy and committed. Rapt to see AJ Lam involved. He potentially covers wing and midfield.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Yeah, it's really good to see Gibson, Papalii, Goodhue, and Sotutu all available.
@Tim tbh I would have thought a decent period away from the contact would be good for Goodhue, sometimes I think he is a bit gunshy given his head knocks.
Hope he has a decent period of without anything holding him back.
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@Tim The best news I see from those teams is that apart from the All Blacks being away, the only main squad players who are not involved (so maybe carrying injuries) are Parsons, Cowley-Tuioti and Lamborn. Lets hope no more injuries come from this outing. I see Tele'a, Umaga, Macdonald and Halagahu are the only backs in their team with 6 forwards. They must hope to dominate possession so there is not much tackling to be done! (kick it then cover fullback while Tele'a and the forwards chase it). I wondered who they would bring in as openside cover - so it is Jacob Norris from Ta$man. I've only seen him play a couple of times but he looked busy and committed. Rapt to see AJ Lam involved. He potentially covers wing and midfield.
@Daffy-Jaffy I highly doubt Team 4 will actually be playing.
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@Tim youd think the 'canes game would be best for his debut from a marketing P.O.V, would get a huge crowd, whereas if the first game for blues is v Jaguares, that is up here, crowd is never gonna be the same as EP
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Caught up with Tony Hanks at the airport last night , I was waiting for a family member coming in from Melbourne..he was waiting for new Blues signing Joe Marchant and his partner who flew in from England .
I asked him, well Tony, is this our year...?.,he reckons it’s the fittest Blues team he has seen at this stage of the year and not having an end of season tour seems to have refreshed the players ,first preseason game is in 2 x weeks time..I also asked about Reiko Ioane as a potential midfielder , apparently the coaching staff see Reiko as centre long term, it might also be a great way to refresh his career...
Would have love to have quizzed him about a few other things , but my family member turned up ..bugger..
Marchant looked like a good athlete..Mrs looked pretty good as well in leopard number ..!
