15 replies to this topic

[steavis]

http://stevemascord....n-down-england/

[Kenny Bania]

What a shame. It really would help the international game if players could play for a country other than Australia AND play Origin. Obviously, they'd have to stick with the same Origin side for their whole career - e.g. Sam Burgess, having started his NRL career with Souths, could only ever be a Blue.

[Big Picture]

What a shame. It really would help the international game if players could play for a country other than Australia AND play Origin. Obviously, they'd have to stick with the same Origin side for their whole career - e.g. Sam Burgess, having started his NRL career with Souths, could only ever be a Blue.

I'm not sure that would make any difference, you're assuming he still thinks of himself as English but that's doubtful. Note he was "Raised in Ispwich and Bribie Island," i.e. in Queensland so it's very likely he considers himself Australian since that's where he grew up.

[deluded pom?]

If he thinks of himself as Australian then good luck to the kid. I just hope he doesn't tout himself to England if he feels his chance of a green and gold shirt aren't as good as he thought they were.

[Kenny Bania]

I'm not sure that would make any difference, you're assuming he still thinks of himself as English but that's doubtful. Note he was "Raised in Ispwich and Bribie Island," i.e. in Queensland so it's very likely he considers himself Australian since that's where he grew up.

I was raised in Spain but would never consider myself Spanish. Although maybe if I did, I'd have a bit more to shout about sports-wise...

Fair point about Reed's own circumstances though, I've no idea what he regards himself as. The wider point about tweaking the rules for Origin remains though.

[DIEHARDTITAN]

If you play for QLD or NSW you should play for Australia. Origin needs to be careful it doesnt turn into more of an all star event than it is. We need to lift up the other nations. England needs a camp/scouts in Australia. The Kiwis are doing great with their efforts to win the loyalty of young Kiwis.

[nadera78]

If you play for QLD or NSW you should play for Australia. Origin needs to be careful it doesnt turn into more of an all star event than it is. We need to lift up the other nations. England needs a camp/scouts in Australia. The Kiwis are doing great with their efforts to win the loyalty of young Kiwis.

No we don't. I'd have no interest in watching an 'England' team made up entirely of Australians. A lot of the Aussies now playing for NZ have Maori ancestry so they still feel that they're Kiwis no matter where they're born.

[DIEHARDTITAN]

So you dont even think it is worthwhile to have at least one well known scout in Oz? Even if it just recruits one star it would be worth it.

It would also raise the profile of international rugby league and the English players in the NRL. Even if it's just media opportunities and sharing drinks. There needs to be more English in the NRL and forming some sort of network would be good.

Anything would be better than seeing England continue to be the whipping boys of the Rugby League world.

[nadera78]

There's a difference between English players going to play in the NRL and Australians playing for England because they can't get in the Aussie team. You might want to see England win at all costs but I don't. This isn't club football this is about representing your country, your family, your community. It should not be about getting a game wherever you can.

[roughyedspud]

jack reed moved to australia when he was 2...he won't remember england,won't remember what its like to be english....being in australia is all he'sever known....


where as someone like widdop who did'nt move to australia till he was 14....spent his formative years here,junior school,secondary school,sunday roasts,yorkshire pudding and all that ###### that makes us english...there was never any doubt in widdops mind that he'd WANTED to play for england

[deluded pom?]

where as someone like widdop who did'nt move to australia till he was 14....spent his formative years here,junior school,secondary school,sunday roasts,yorkshire pudding and all that ###### that makes us english...there was never any doubt in widdops mind that he'd WANTED to play for england

I have a tear in my eye now 'spud.

[Fax1978]

jack reed moved to australia when he was 2...he won't remember england,won't remember what its like to be english....being in australia is all he'sever known....


where as someone like widdop who did'nt move to australia till he was 14....spent his formative years here,junior school,secondary school,sunday roasts,yorkshire pudding and all that ###### that makes us english...there was never any doubt in widdops mind that he'd WANTED to play for england

Just to ensure accuracy Widdop moved to Aus when he was 16, so he even had another 2 yrs worth of Yorkshire Pudding by that time... its in his veins now and theirs no going back after that.

[roughyedspud]

i knew that...god knows why i put 14? lol

[DIEHARDTITAN]

Too bad we cant get you passionate blokes to play for England. Passion is how Queensland has always competed. 3 NRL teams vs 10 NSW(+1 for ACT which is NSW dominated)

[DIEHARDTITAN]

Well well well.... Reed will be wearing the England jersey with pride for the Four Nations. Great news!

[andy]

This is good news for England, he is a good prospect.

Regarding loyalties, I am English, but live in Aus. We moved when my daughter was 2, she is now 10 and identifies both as being English & Australian. It is not as simple as where you were raised or born.

In international sports she generally follows my lead, which is supporting England. Whether this changes as she gets older will be interesting.