Bennett blocks Milf from playing for Samoa

[broncos4life]

Yet another sign that the Broncos are back in top. Ridiculous over reactions and religious-like indignation to absolutely everything a bronco does.

Milford won't seriously impact his rep career by playing for Samoa?!? Shock horror

James Roberts left his partner for 2 hours to play a game and came when she had a baby that he helped deliver 18 hours later?!? Disgusting. Ban him from the game and gut him.

Next story - Corey Oates farts in the shower. Paul Kent recommends a life time ban, Mascord says not tough enough, kick the team out of the comp.

Seriously media, go and get laid and calm the **** down.

 

[Morkel]

Corey Oates does not fart. How dare you. He stores the gas up and uses it to help him float through the air when scoring tries.

 

[tommy]

Yet another sign that the Broncos are back in top. Ridiculous over reactions and religious-like indignation to absolutely everything a bronco does.

Milford won't seriously impact his rep career by playing for Samoa?!? Shock horror

James Roberts left his partner for 2 hours to play a game and came when she had a baby that he helped deliver 18 hours later?!? Disgusting. Ban him from the game and gut him.

Next story - Corey Oates farts in the shower. Paul Kent recommends a life time ban, Mascord says not tough enough, kick the team out of the comp.

Seriously media, go and get laid and calm the **** down.

Don't forget the team has a rat lol.

 

[john1420]

Steve Mascord has an article up on The Roar where he states that Milford should be stood down for a game for refusing to play for Samoa. Apparently, because he is eligible to play for Samoa, he should be forced to play for them for the good of the international game or something. All this despite the fact that Milford is a born and raised Australian who has made the decision to align himself with Australia. Why is he obligated to play for Samoa because he has in the past?

And yet Semi, who has been here all of 5 minutes, trots out for the green and golds and where is the indignation at that?

 

[Foordy]

I had to laugh at one hater on the CM website saying that Bennett wants Milf to get his residency up so he can play for Australia ...

FFS, the kid was born in Brisbane

 

[LittleDavey]

Corey Oates does not fart. How dare you. He stores the gas up and uses it to help him float through the air when scoring tries.

Float? You mean jet-propel, right? I mean, the kid is practically a F-1-fucking-eleven..


I'm totally for a change to international eligibility rules. Imagine if players who qualified for 'minnow' nations etc actually played for them. I suspect NZ would be on top with Aus 2nd, and the gap to the rest would be substantially smaller. In any case, even if players could play for them if not selected for the Aussie team, I think it would close the gap somewhat - and this should be the rule IMO.

 

[Morkel]

Float? You mean jet-propel, right? I mean, the kid is practically a F-1-fucking-eleven..


I'm totally for a change to international eligibility rules. Imagine if players who qualified for 'minnow' nations etc actually played for them. I suspect NZ would be on top with Aus 2nd, and the gap to the rest would be substantially smaller. In any case, even if players could play for them if not selected for the Aussie team, I think it would close the gap somewhat - and this should be the rule IMO.

I felt this way for a long time but it depends on the Origin rules staying quite strict. If it allowed players like Radradra or SBW or even Burgess to play Origin, I'd be against it. Even if they keep the "first senior game" to see if they qualify for which state, I reckon they need to be living in Australia by the age of, say, 15.

 

[LittleDavey]

Yep totally agree. SOO should be true Aussie players only regardless of international eligibility IMO.

 

[bazza]

So let me get this straight, Anthony Milford, who happens to be born and raised in Brisbane, which last time I checked was in Australia, is being forced to play for Samoa, despite the fact he wants to play Origin and for the Kangaroos, and most likely would had it not been for his ban, while Semi Radradra, who was born and raised in Suva, Fiji, and has only lived in Australia for three years, and is allowed to play for Australia... Go figure...

If the issue is growing the international game, why isn't Semi being forced to play for Fiji instead of Australia?

The international eligibility rules definitely needs a change... Here's my take on fixing a few of the current issues:

- Players born and raised in a tier one nation such as Australia and New Zealand, should have their primary eligibility/preference for the country of their birth, however if not chosen to play for that tier one nation, they have the option of representing the second tier nation of their heritage without any consequence to their primary eligibility.

The key word being 'option'. Players are entitled to choose whether they want to play for their second tier nation rather than being forced.

This will solve the issue of not being able to play Origin or International football for their tier one nation for two years or whatever it is, as well as players feeling the need to change eligibility every two years.

- Players born in a tier one nation, yet are raised in a different tier one nation from a young age (say before the age of 10?) have a preference of choosing between these two nations and are allowed to pledge their primary allegiance to one of these nations.

- Players born in a tier one nation, yet of mixed heritage, with ties to different tier one nations, have the option of pledging their primary eligibility to one of these tier one nations of their choice.

- Players born in a second tier nation, yet raised in a first tier nation from a young age (say before the age of 10?), have a primary eligibility of representing that tier one nation. Once again, if not chosen to represent that tier one nation, they are free to play for their second tier nation.

- Players born and raised in second tier nation should not be allowed to play for a tier one nation despite residency rules. Their primary eligibility should be for that second tier nation only.

In all of the above scenarios, if not chosen to represent their tier one nation, they should be able to play for their second tier nation without penalty.

I think it's ridiculous that players such as Milford and McGuire, who first played international football for a second tier nation, despite being born and raised in Australia are being forced to pledge their allegiance away from Australia, and are now somehow being considered Samoan.

 

[Tunza's Chin]

Yep totally agree. SOO should be true Aussie players only regardless of international eligibility IMO.

I have changed my mind on this recently and disagree with you.

I think the most important part is about where you spent the majority of your youth and playing footy...

For someone like Milf growing up and playing in Queensland, supporting the Maroons etc, makes him a Queenslander. That's the kind of player's who should be allowed to play - that properly understand the passion/pride in the jersey.

But he's also Somoan at the same time so should be able to represent his heritage... Being Somoan and a QLDer aren't mutually exclusive. The international game will be so much better for it and I don't think Origin loses anything.

Origin eligibility rules can't be changed... Someone like Semi shouldn't ever be allowed to play. He's not a true NSWer, can't understand origin without having grown up with it. Origin players all grow an extra leg in those games, more so then in any international, I don't think the same would apply to Semi. Why would he fire up more in an origin than playing for Australia?

The absolute top line talents that could make the Aus team like Milf but chose a tier 2 nation would be doing it for the right reason as well... As much as I can't wait to see Milf playing for Aus, it's hard to argue that a world cup with a fired up Milf/Moose/etc playing for tier 2 nations wouldn't provide a much more exciting spectacle. Every time Milf and Thurston have gone head to head at 5/8th it's been infinitely better rugby league then any Aus vs T2 nation game I've ever seen. Why would we not want that on the world stage?

 

[Rhys van Beurden]

Interesting to note that Apisai Koroisau[FONT=Open Sans Regular, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif] has declined to represent Fiji, yet not with a hint of the outrage associated with Milford/Bennett's decision.[/FONT]

 

[Super Freak]

Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett says it was playmaker Anthony Milford's decision, not his, to reject the possibility of playing for Samoa in next week's Pacific Test match against Tonga at Pirtek Stadium.

Milford's Samoan descent means that he is eligible to be selected for either Samoa or Australia, with Australia being his country of origin and first preference.

It was believed Milford would be selected for Samoa after Australian Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga overlooked the 21-year-old when picking his side for Friday's Trans-Tasman clash in Newcastle.

This opened the door for Milford to make his fifth appearance in Samoan colours and the Souths junior was set to be the first picked in Samoan national coach Matt Parish's team.

But reports emerged earlier in the week that Bennett was taking it upon himself to declare Milford unavailable for Samoan selection, with the master coach not wanting to risk his star five-eighth.

It's a stance that has confused many, with Bennett vocally throwing his support behind minnow nations in the past.

Bennett today defended his decision and confirmed that Milford will not be joining Brisbane teammate Joe Ofahengaue in the Samoan team.

"I don't want to get into a debate about it. The rules are pretty rubbery and while they remain like that there will always be moments like this where players might be eligible to play, but they won't take part in it," Bennett said.

"The point with Anthony is that he wants to play for Queensland and Australia. That's his choice and he's made that decision.

"There are no injuries holding him back from representing Samoa.

"The decisions made and done. I have nothing else to add."

Despite the distractions, Bennett's mind is firmly set on Sunday's clash with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

The Broncos have had both injury and suspension to deal with this week, with the club confirming that Herman Ese'ese will come onto the bench to replace the suspended Adam Blair.

Sam Thaiday will start at prop in place of Blair and although Kodi Nikorima is named at hooker to replace the injured Andrew McCullough, the club has not ruled out the possibility of bench utility Travis Waddell starting in his place.

The disruptive preparations leave Brisbane vulnerable as they head into a top of the table clash with a Sharks side that has impressed so far this season.

"They are playing pretty good football and are in the top four. They'll be pretty keen to beat us and they'll be in front of their home crowd so that will create its own challenges for us," Bennett said.

"Cronulla are a much better team than they were last year. We are all trying to be better and they've managed to do that with the quality players they have.

"We are always confident about who we put in the team so it's no different without 'Macca' and Adam.

"Those two have played really well for us and they do a great job, but now it's time for the other guys to come up and take their opportunities."

Milford made call on test - NRL.com

 

[sus]

Corey Oates does not fart. How dare you. He stores the gas up and uses it to help him float through the air when scoring tries.

chuck norris is oateseys illegitimate love child

anyways minor issue, but whats telling as has been said if it were such a big deal there would be equal outrage at radradra's eligibility. **** the haters. its sure good to be back..

 

[Sproj]

[MENTION=8440]bazza[/MENTION], that is the most sensible rules idea related to the NRL/international rugby league I have seen and it makes sense because it doesn't come from either of those entities. Please submit it to someone that could possibly have the sense to make it happen!

 

[sus]

benny taking the heat off milf too obviously, but the likelihood the decision wouldve been taken 100% out of milfs hands seems unlikely

 

[LittleDavey]

I have changed my mind on this recently and disagree with you.

I think the most important part is about where you spent the majority of your youth and playing footy...

For someone like Milf growing up and playing in Queensland, supporting the Maroons etc, makes him a Queenslander. That's the kind of player's who should be allowed to play - that properly understand the passion/pride in the jersey.

But he's also Somoan at the same time so should be able to represent his heritage... Being Somoan and a QLDer aren't mutually exclusive. The international game will be so much better for it and I don't think Origin loses anything.

Origin eligibility rules can't be changed... Someone like Semi shouldn't ever be allowed to play. He's not a true NSWer, can't understand origin without having grown up with it. Origin players all grow an extra leg in those games, more so then in any international, I don't think the same would apply to Semi. Why would he fire up more in an origin than playing for Australia?

The absolute top line talents that could make the Aus team like Milf but chose a tier 2 nation would be doing it for the right reason as well... As much as I can't wait to see Milf playing for Aus, it's hard to argue that a world cup with a fired up Milf/Moose/etc playing for tier 2 nations wouldn't provide a much more exciting spectacle. Every time Milf and Thurston have gone head to head at 5/8th it's been infinitely better rugby league then any Aus vs T2 nation game I've ever seen. Why would we not want that on the world stage?

Oh look, I agree with you here. My comment was more targeted at the likes of Semi - absolutely agree that despite him playing for Australia, he should never get an Origin jersey. And similarly in reverse, those Aussies who make Origin teams but for whatever reason don't make the Aussie team should still be able to play both Origin and for their 2nd tier nation. We're on the same page :)

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Oh look, I agree with you here. My comment was more targeted at the likes of Semi - absolutely agree that despite him playing for Australia, he should never get an Origin jersey. And similarly in reverse, those Aussies who make Origin teams but for whatever reason don't make the Aussie team should still be able to play both Origin and for their 2nd tier nation. We're on the same page :)

Don't worry, it worked so well to get him a Roos jumper, he'll try it again with Origin but Daley and Walters were both very much against it

 

[Broncoman]

Hayne played for Fiji and Jennings played for Tonga from memory when they were not selected for Australia. Tedesco played for Italy at the World Cup as well so I don't get why this is any different.