rugby union

Japan's Euro rugby stop 'part of long-term picture,' says Kirwan

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© 2011 AFP

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Kirwan you need to set more realistic goals, making the Final for the Japan tournament isnt going to happen, first you'd need to beat south africa, australia and then New Zealand. This isnt going to happen in your life time or anyone elses.

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Using "foreigners" for national rugby teams is nothing new nor rare. On the NZ jersey they had to remove the words "New Zealand" from it because of the number of non-native Kiwis, and now it says only "All Blacks". In the early 2000's the influx of "kilted kiwis", led by Brendan Laney & John Leslie caused a bit of consternation around Murrayfield.

And nowadays in the England backline you have people like Riki Flutey, Shontayne Hape and Manny Tuilagi - all naturalized Englishmen.

It isn't a bad thing to aim high, but there needs to be the methods available to reach those aims. The Asian 5 nations is a good start, but they need to play at that kind of level more regularly. I'm not sure how the SANZAR unions would react, but how about the winners of the Asian 5 nations get to play in the Super 15 competition? Something along those lines would give a huge incentive to improve.

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