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Rugby Union
International Test Matches
Australia vs England - 3 Tests - June 2016
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<blockquote data-quote="j&#039;nuh" data-source="post: 794947" data-attributes="member: 55446"><p>If he was turning down Wales or Australia to play for England, I'd agree that it would come across as quite selfish.</p><p></p><p>But Fiji? This is a country that made their sevens coach work three months unpaid because they didn't have the money to pay him. This is a country that had to make their players pay for their own plane flights, and only allowed them £500 per week living expenses during the WC. </p><p></p><p>Fiji also has GDP per capita a quarter of that of the UK. I think people who grow up in less affluent countries put a different kind of emphasis on money, which is totally understandable IMO. The money Hughes makes whilst a rugby player may well be his and his family's security for life.</p><p></p><p>But I also think there are other angles. If it was purely money, he wouldn't have gone to the at-the-time financially struggling Wasps; he'd have gone to France. In fact, financially, it probably still makes sense for him to be a non-international player playing in the Top14 on a lucrative contract, than playing for less in England and hoping to be picked for England for the extra windfall.</p><p></p><p> Playing for England gives Hughes a chance to compete at the highest level and make a real name for himself, and fulfil a sense of personal pride that he probably wouldn't have the chance of fulfilling with Fiji.</p><p></p><p>There is also the frustration that some Pacific Islanders may have with the reputed corruption of their governments/rugby bodies. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Think it's harsh to judge Hughes on the merits of someone else.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="j'nuh, post: 794947, member: 55446"] If he was turning down Wales or Australia to play for England, I'd agree that it would come across as quite selfish. But Fiji? This is a country that made their sevens coach work three months unpaid because they didn't have the money to pay him. This is a country that had to make their players pay for their own plane flights, and only allowed them £500 per week living expenses during the WC. Fiji also has GDP per capita a quarter of that of the UK. I think people who grow up in less affluent countries put a different kind of emphasis on money, which is totally understandable IMO. The money Hughes makes whilst a rugby player may well be his and his family's security for life. But I also think there are other angles. If it was purely money, he wouldn't have gone to the at-the-time financially struggling Wasps; he'd have gone to France. In fact, financially, it probably still makes sense for him to be a non-international player playing in the Top14 on a lucrative contract, than playing for less in England and hoping to be picked for England for the extra windfall. Playing for England gives Hughes a chance to compete at the highest level and make a real name for himself, and fulfil a sense of personal pride that he probably wouldn't have the chance of fulfilling with Fiji. There is also the frustration that some Pacific Islanders may have with the reputed corruption of their governments/rugby bodies. Think it's harsh to judge Hughes on the merits of someone else. [/QUOTE]
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Australia vs England - 3 Tests - June 2016
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