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'It clearly shows where the intention is' - All Blacks accused of poaching
By Chris Jones
Manu Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua believes New Zealand rugby’s selection of Moana Pasifika’s Super Rugby Pacific centre Levi Aumua proves the All Blacks can still cherry-pick players who are qualified for Islands nations.
Mapusua is convinced Aumua’s selection in the All Blacks XV squad “diminishes the purpose” of the Moana Pasifika franchise. Aumua is eligible for Manu Samoa, Fiji, the All Blacks and Australia.
Aumua, 28, was selected for the All Blacks XV for two games against Ireland A and the Barbarians in November. Mapusua, who is preparing Samoa for their November tests with Italy, Georgia and Romania, ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in France, told Stuff: “We waited a long time for a team like Moana Pasifika to be established. I’d like to think it’s our team but this is a not so gentle reminder that yes we can have our team but the best players will still get picked up by, in this case, New Zealand.
“What Moana Pasifika are saying is not untrue but at the same time all it takes is one. If we are looking at things in principle, it should be 100% (eligibility for the Pacific Islands teams). The establishment of this team(Moana) was to benefit Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
“We looked at Moana Pasifika as our team. It is frustrating seeing guys like Levi being picked up by the All Blacks. Obviously it sends a message to all the other midfielders in the five (New Zealand) franchises. Frustrating is a nice way to put it.”
NZ Rugby granted the licence for Moana Pasifika to participate in Super Rugby Pacific, and it is understood that the All Blacks can select up to three players from the franchise. While the All Blacks XV is not a “capture” team, meaning Aumua could still play for Samoa or Fiji, Mapusua says it signals the centre is on New Zealand’s radar and could be elevated to the senior squad.
Mapusua said. “While everyone is saying it’s not a capped team it clearly shows where the intention is and where players are being viewed.
“There’s a chance that Levi could go on and be a key player for the All Blacks and go to the World Cup. There’s also a very real chance that he might not.”
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There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
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