By Harley Quin
June 11 2005

I recently read a story about Samoan rugby being in dire straits because it has no money etc. I then read some comments from one of the greatest flankers ever to grace our game, Michael Jones, in which he said that every effort should be made to save Samoan rugby. Now maybe my mind is playing tricks on me but isn't this the same Mr Jones who played a Test match for Western Samoa and then switched across to New Zealand. Perhaps if players who turn out for Samoa stuck with them they wouldn't be in the pickle they find themselves in today: particularly a player of the quality of Michael Jones.

I'm not having a personal pop at Michael Jones because he is just one of many who have switched their alligience between countries, but maybe if the IRB was a bit tougher on who can play for whom Samoa wouldn't be in this state. Actually Jones was born in New Zealand and therefore had every right to play for the All Blacks, but why did he play for Western Samoa if he wasn't Samoan? Surely all Samoan team places should be reserved for born and bred Samoans?

Personally I'm more concerned about the players who find an Irish granny or something similar like a distant French connection. In my opinion this just isn't on: you should play for the country in which you are born and if that happens to be a bit of a duff country then so be it. I still find it amusing to see Kevin Maggs interviewed after playing for Ireland, he certainly seems to have a very unique Irish brogue!

I'm old enough to remember a time when you were considered unlucky to be born English if you wanted to play top class rugby so let's face it, for most of the top countries, what goes around comes around: mind you I'm not sure how long the cycle will have to be before the Welsh are top of the tree again!

It would be interesting to see if the regulars of this site could build a team of top players who have played for a country other than the one of their birth - why not leave your suggestions on the Messageboard.