0
For the benefit to Pacific Rugby it is great to see that they are taking steps to close down "other nations" poaching senior players straight out of the PI Squad as happened last time.
Eligibility tightened for PI side
Monday, July 31, 2006
The Pacific Islanders rugby team which will tour Britain in November will be made up exclusively of players who have chosen to play for Fiji, Tonga or Samoa, the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance has ruled.
The first Islanders team, which played matches against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in 2004, included players such as Sione Lauaki and Sitiveni Sivivatu, who went on to play for the New Zealand All Blacks.
PIRA chief executive Sakopo Lolohea said eligibility rules for this year's team would be changed to ensure the Islanders tour served the development of Pacific Islands rugby.
"The team will definitely not be selected as in 2004," Lolohea said.
"It will be made up of players eligible to play for the three island nations."
The PIRA board is due to meet in Fiji on August 6 to finalise details of the tour, which involves Tests against Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
The meeting is also expected to confirm the appointment of Samoa coach and former All Black Michael Jones as Islanders head coach. New Zealander John Boe coached the team in 2004.
AP via Rugby Heaven