Re: Did the All blacks Miss Lomu ?

On 3 Dec 2003 02:37:55 -0800, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Ian Diddams) wrote:

>John Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...

>>  Maybe there's a case to send
>> all the younger NZ forwards over to join the AB retirees and form
>> (boost?) London NZ, who could get some forward practice.

>Shhhh!  Watch it John!  Someone from NZRFU et al might read that!
>
>The structure of the RFU's club sometitions is such that the above is
>entirely feasible...  that an "English" club could be packed with an
>"academy" and use the Cl;ubs championship and eventually Zp to hone
>their skills.

The only problem would be work permits assuming they are professional.
There is a limit to the number of non-EC (maybe passport, wife or
parent from EC country) at ZP level, but I don't know about lower
levels. I've a feeling it's two maximum in the ZP now the WC is over -
it was definitely more generous during the WC.

>In fcat, somebody actually used this as a reason when the leagues were
>first introduced to say that the likes of London Sottish and welsh and
>Irish shouldn't be included...  my memory suggests it was Simon
>halliday but given his own dual interbnational scenario (IIRC NZ &
>Ebngland) that would be ironic!

Maybe Jamie Salmon? I just looked up Halliday - I didn't realise he
was born in Wales (Haverfordwest).

>For a national union setting up such an academy wouldn't be that
>difficult or even partcularly expensive 9at least until; its time for
>the ZP and the ground requirements).
>
>Aren't there any rules about numbers of overseas playesr in a club
>team though?  Here at devizes (level 7) we have had to have been
>careful with the number of Fijian lads we play  IIRC although we have
>now been told that as they are in the British Army they count as
>"locals" and are thus unlimited...

Yes, there is a limit - see above. It can't be that long until someone
with Fijian ancestry plays for England at this rate (if one hasn't
already?).

-- 

Regards,
John Williams