F
Fa'atau82
Guest
Let me put the argument this way.
In British Basketball, we have a pro league. The UK doesn't produce any top NBA stars from that league, but it is used by americans primarily for their first job after college to get into the career ladder. Some even stay and get residency and then go to the big leagues in Spain etc where they can earn some nice moolah and then stpe up to NBA.
None of the top Brits will come to play in your league because it's a below par league and the money isn't competitive. We have just entered a GB team after a very long absence of a national, because we disbanded it. In it's first season, it is now qualifed for the Euro Championships over several much higher ranked traditional teams. We have an awesome team, but the ones who play at home are the newbies who want to play for GB for this the Euros. After that, they'll go back to the bigger leagues.
My point and comparison is that the situation in Australia, NZ and South Africa is that although the competitions are good, they don't give that much in wages or development of a career, so it is very tempting for these players to come to the NH and earn more money and almost walk into any team they chose. Not many players come here to sample a new culture only.
Life is about money, not loyalty and this is ever increasing in professional sport. It is very sad that some countries have a talent drain.. Samoa and Fiji are probly the worst hit in World Rugby.. but it is just logical financial migration. The fact is, none of these SH'ers will really ever stay here for years and years, because they are moving for the money and because the lack of decent competition at home.. like Australia doesn't even really have a regular professional league that can keep itself afloat. Some many move for a better life, like the islanders.. but life in NZ or Australia is fine.. and it's not that bad in South Africa like most of Africa.
If the money was there, the players would be staying at home in their Currie Cups and NPC's. Fact. Yes, you could argue we have the better comps in the NH. But really, who in the SH cares about Heineken Cup, Top14 or Premiership? Really, who cares?
No one is poaching. If someone gave you an offer that was double what you get now for doing the same job, would you decline.. if you knew you could go back and play for the national side 2 seasons later?
In British Basketball, we have a pro league. The UK doesn't produce any top NBA stars from that league, but it is used by americans primarily for their first job after college to get into the career ladder. Some even stay and get residency and then go to the big leagues in Spain etc where they can earn some nice moolah and then stpe up to NBA.
None of the top Brits will come to play in your league because it's a below par league and the money isn't competitive. We have just entered a GB team after a very long absence of a national, because we disbanded it. In it's first season, it is now qualifed for the Euro Championships over several much higher ranked traditional teams. We have an awesome team, but the ones who play at home are the newbies who want to play for GB for this the Euros. After that, they'll go back to the bigger leagues.
My point and comparison is that the situation in Australia, NZ and South Africa is that although the competitions are good, they don't give that much in wages or development of a career, so it is very tempting for these players to come to the NH and earn more money and almost walk into any team they chose. Not many players come here to sample a new culture only.
Life is about money, not loyalty and this is ever increasing in professional sport. It is very sad that some countries have a talent drain.. Samoa and Fiji are probly the worst hit in World Rugby.. but it is just logical financial migration. The fact is, none of these SH'ers will really ever stay here for years and years, because they are moving for the money and because the lack of decent competition at home.. like Australia doesn't even really have a regular professional league that can keep itself afloat. Some many move for a better life, like the islanders.. but life in NZ or Australia is fine.. and it's not that bad in South Africa like most of Africa.
If the money was there, the players would be staying at home in their Currie Cups and NPC's. Fact. Yes, you could argue we have the better comps in the NH. But really, who in the SH cares about Heineken Cup, Top14 or Premiership? Really, who cares?
No one is poaching. If someone gave you an offer that was double what you get now for doing the same job, would you decline.. if you knew you could go back and play for the national side 2 seasons later?
