The Super 14 is just around the corner and I thought before I did a preview of the season I should talk about the pre-season. That's when I came across something really confusing in terms of where one of the teams is playing. No, it's not the Hurricanes playing in the shadow of the HQ of their sponsor's product, though I do think they should have played a game in Napier [the other two games are at Porirua Park and Rotorua].

What raised my eyebrows was one of the Highlanders fixtures. Their first game is fine - against the Chiefs in Dunedin. It's their second one. The team is travelling to Suva to face a Fiji President's XV. I've always thought that sport and politics should not mix, but long ago came to the realisation that no matter what happens, they are intertwined.

In case you don't know the current political background in Fiji, here's a quick rundown: In 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama led the Fijian army in a bloodless coup against the government of the time, led by then-Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. The reason he gave for this was his general unrest with plans by the government to introduce a bill reviewing the legality of the 2000 coup attempt led by George Speight. Since then, Bainimarama has refused the demands of New Zealand and Australia, and the Commonwealth, to return Fiji to a democracy. As a result, Fiji was last year ejected from the Pacific Nations Forum and has been suspended from the Commonwealth. Bainimarama has also ejected people from Fiji - the NZ and Australian High Commissioners, as NZ and Australian journalists including Sia Aston [TV3] and Barbara Dreaver [TVNZ]. Early last year he took control of the local media, employing censors in every newsroom.

New Zealand has steadfastly refused to deal with members of the Fijian regime. Barring compassionate reasons, New Zealand's stance on allowing members of the regime, or people associated with it, to travel here is this: No. We also do not issue temporary work permits to seasonal workers from Fiji, A few years ago it appeared the NZ government would not allow the Fijian Sevens team to participate in Wellington, but instead the following was added to the regulations for New Zealand's relations with Fiji, stating an exception will be made in these circumstances:

People are not subject to the ban if they will be participating in a regional or international tournament which requires travel to New Zealand and the New Zealand host sporting body does not have control over the selection of the participants. The ban does not apply to professional sportspeople playing as individuals.

.

This is where it gets confusing. In 2007, the All Whites were due to play the Fijian national team as part of their qualification campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as their goalkeeper was related to a regime member, but the team was allowed to travel to Fiji to play the return leg. The NZ match was eventually played in Samoa. The goalkeeper played both matches. Undoubtedly, this would fall under the exception - that NZ does not have control over the selection. But, the Pacific Nations Cup has been going on the past two seasons with Fijian, New Zealand and Australian involvement and nothing came of rumours that then Foreign Minister Winston Peters was looking at a blanket ban. I don't have the time or resources to look into every single person in the Fijian rugby team which plays in that competition, and I'm sure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade does an outstanding job of looking into everybody, but doesn't this send a confusing message?

Both tournaments are, of course, sanctioned by the IRB. So again, New Zealand won't ban the teams, even if Bainimarama himself was lining up at halfback. We have banned a Fijian side before though, although I can't remember why.

Where this match differs though is the team to play the Highlanders. The President's XV. Fiji's former president was Joseph Iloilo, who retired late last year. Iloilo was called a 'puppet' by academic Brij Lal, for failing to opposed the military leadership. His replacement appointed by the same regime NZ is refusing to deal with - is Epeli Nailatikau, who was previously the military government's Minister of Defence. So from the very start, the Fijian government's hands are all over this game. Even if the players are picked from Ireland, the regime is still involved. Personally, I think this is unacceptable.

The situation in Fiji appears to be quickly deteriorating, with the Methodist Church accusing the regime of spying on them and the Citizens' Constitutional Forum claiming that the interim government has been cutting pension payments to people who criticise their tenure. This is not the first time they've cracked down on critics - last year they arrested and detained the head of the Fijian Law Society, Dorsami Naidu for speaking harshly about the leaders and 'undermining' the regime. Three magistrates at the Information Ministry were recently sacked, and when asked why, Permanent Secretary for Information Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni had this to say:

It is not for anyone to explain the reasons why. It’s just that it’s been signed by the president and it’s been put to effect that their services are no longer required.

Sounds an awful lot like 'don't question, just do as you're told' right?

I struggle to see how on earth this game was approved - did it simply slip through the cracks? It's not part of an officially sanctioned tournament, it's not a regular fixture and it's not something that should have even been thought up in the first place. I've got nothing against the Highlanders, but no way should they play this game. Not at all. It's effectively condoning the actions of the president, Bainimarama, and all their mates after the government has worked to put across a message that we will not tolerate the political situation in Fiji. It's saying 'hey, we know you're treating your people poorly, but we don't care, we just want to play rugby'. I wholeheartedly object to this match, and want the Highlanders to change their plans.

I can't count the number of times I've engaged in a rigorous debate with a rugby fan about our respective national teams, only to be rebutted [usually by English fans it seems] with the outrageous claim that the All Blacks are only as strong as they are because they 'steal' players from the Pacific Islands and if we only used players from our own country, we'd be, well, fucked.

Take a guess how many players in the All Blacks end-of-year tour squad were not born in New Zealand. If your guess was not four, you're wrong. Jerome Kaino was born in American Samoa, Junior Malili Muliaina is from Western Samoa, Rodney So'oialo is from Samoa and Sitiveni Sivivatu is, of course, a Fijian.

Of the four, Mils moved here when he was two years old, Sivi when he was 17 and it is unclear about Kaino or So'oialo, but all four attended a New Zealand high school. Yes, there is the whole 'scholarship' facade in schools, but that same process is used around the world in all sports. Most of the 'island' players in the All Blacks were born here and raised here. They're ours.

To say that NZ has some form of insidious scheme in place to identify talent and kidnap shows that there is a real lack of understanding about the way our country's citizenship laws have been set in the past, and political problems which have faced it. It also suggests that the NZRU have some form of Delorean time-machine which they use to travel back 20 years and convince people to move to NZ before they have a child, because they know that that kid will be good.

Lets take Neemia Tialata for an example. Tialata was born in Upper Hutt, before his parents returned to Samoa. They came back to New Zealand when he was five. Being born here, he was an NZ citizen. But wait. Neemia was born in 1982. If his parents were born residing in NZ before 1 January 1949, they would be NZ citizens, and he would receive this title by the rule of descent. There's about four different ways he would be an NZ citizen [and so would the other 'islanders']. Read them here.

These people, when told this, will try and switch it back on you. 'The All Blacks aren't the only team doing it' or 'what about in the Super 14 then?' they'll say.

So let's look at that. In the Super 14 there are only 14 players from another country playing for a franchise, whose birthplaces I can solidly identify. That's not even enough to make a team! These are:

Blues: Jerome Kaino [American Samoa], Benson Stanley [Australia], Josevata Rokocoko [Fiji], Isaia Toeava and George Pisi [Samoa]
Chiefs: Sione Lauaki [Tonga], Sitiveni Sivivatu [Fiji] Mils Muliaina [Samoa]
Hurricanes: John Schwalger [Western Samoa], Rodney So'oialo and David Smith [Samoa]
Crusaders: Ben Franks [Australia]
Highlanders: Joe Tuineau [Fiji] and Fetu'u Vainikolo [Tonga]

So what's going on then? David Campese seems adamant in this article that the big nations are plundering the stocks of Pacific Island countries [please, suppress your laughter at the irony of him using a picture of Nicky Little, who was born in Tokoroa, in that article].

In fact, because fair's fair, I took a look at all the tier-one teams and the Pacific tier-two sides. Of the Pacific teams Samoa has the highest number of foreign-born players. 10 of their squad were born overseas - all of them in New Zealand (Junior Polu, Fa'atonu Fili, Seilala Mapusua, Gavin Williams, Cencus Johnston, Justin Va'a, Filipo Levi, Joe Tekori, Kane Thompson and Jonny Faamatuainu). I couldn't confirm the numbers for Tonga because a. the Tonga RFU site is still down [has been for at least a year now] and there was too little information on most of them - but it looked like the majority were from Tonga, and Fiji has two Kiwis; the aforementioned Nicky Little, and Deacon Manu.

When I turned my eyes to the tier-one teams, there were a few surprises waiting for me. I knew Dumpling was from Canada, but didn't know about O'Gara's heritage. I think it's cool that Argentina's only 'import' hails from Belgium. The list of all the nations I haven't discussed in here is at the bottom of this article.

As I've written this piece though, I've started to wonder something. It's really easy to look at a country and say 'you've got a lot of island boys in your side, you steal them'. But even in the case of Sivivatu, who came here when he was 17, I think it's more a case of a player taking advantage of a side than the side taking advantage of them. Think about it. The training staff and programmes available within NZ are of a higher quality than those in the Pacific Islands. The fact we have rugby in two windows which can allow those players to compete in their own club/domestic competition if they so choose is another. Would Ma'a Nonu be as good as he is now if he had lived, played and trained in Samoa all his life? Would Josevata Rokocoko? And by the same token, would Pierre Hola be a great All Black if he'd moved to New Zealand if he was a kid?

PS: When you read Campese's piece, please let me know what you think. I've written this all about union, because I can't find full stats for Sevens. It's hard to find the significant main point in his piece. He begins speaking about Sevens, then switches to discussing Union with the RWC, then blabs on about 'clubs' not releasing players without saying which, moves on to complaining about the rules in Sevens, then he's going on about rucking... What? It's all over the fucking place.

PPS: I loved this pearler of a quote:

Sevens used to be full of guile and skill but now it’s played according to XVs rules with teams kicking for touch and taking the ball into contact.

Campo, I've watched both the Dubai and George Sevens over the past fortnight and the kicking I've seen has either been an attacking effort, or an attempt to waste time when the team kicking is ahead with not much time to go.

England: Matt Banahan [Jersey], Ayoola Erinle [Nigeria], Simon Shaw [Kenya], Steffon Armitage [Trinidad], Paul Doran-Jones [Ireland], Dylan Hartley [New Zealand]

Australia: David Pocock [Zimbabwe], Stephen Moore [Saudi Arabia], Matt Dunning [Canada], Dean Mumm, Digby Ioane and Quade Cooper [New Zealand], Will Genia [Papua New Guinea]

France: Thierry Dusautoir [Côte d'Ivoire], Fulgence Ouedraogo [Burkina Faso]

South Africa: Tendai Mtawarira [Zimbabwe]

Wales: Luke Charteris and Tom Shanklin [England]

Scotland: Ben Cairns, Jim Thompson, Hugo Southwell [England], Thom Evans [Zimbabwe], John Barclay and Graeme Morrison [Hong Kong], Nathan Hines [Australia]

Italy: Luke McLean and Craig Gower [Australia], Carlo Del Fava [South Africa] Josh Sole and Kaine Robertson [New Zealand], Sergio Parisse, Matías Agüero and Gonzalo Canale [Argentina], Manoa Vosawai [Fiji]

Ireland: Ronan O'Gara [USA], Jamie Heaslip [Israel], Tom Court [Australia]

Argentina: Esteban Lozada [Belgium]

This is a little complicated, but is more proof of the sort of shenanigans some of the big unions think ­they can get away with.

The original IRB schedule for this November did not include an Australia Grand Slam tour.  The Wallabies had the three Celtic nations on tap, and England were to play Argentina, New Zealand, and Fiji.  

The Aussies obviously wanted to add an England test.  England did not choose to add a fourth test.  I assume this was an issue of the club commitments, or at least the RFU's unwillingness to pay the clubs for an extra week of internationals.  So, the Aussies and RFU created a master plan to fix the problem.

England replaced their Fiji test with the more lucrative Grand Slam opener.  In order to placate Fiji for the lost game, the RFU would kick back a portion of the profits to Fiji, would set up a test against the USA in its place, and Australia agreed to play a June test against Fiji.  The deal gave Australia a Grand Slam chance, England more money, Fiji more tests and money, and USA another test.

In the last few weeks the Fiji/USA test has been canceled.  Since the cancellation, Fiji has scrambled to get a game with Romania.  What happened?  According to Nigel Melville, as reported by American Rugby News, the RFU backed out of obligations.  They said they would work out the financial details so that Fiji could travel to the States on their dime.  Instead, they balked and tried to stick the US with the bill. 

Note how this plays out on the public relations front.  Back in the spring the media trumpeted the story.  "The Slam is on!"  "Unions cooperate for the betterment of world rugby!"  "Philanthropic RFU plays Santa Claus!"  England comes out smelling like roses, if you will excuse the pun.  Then, six months later they back out of the deal and leave Fiji to dry and the story on most rugby sites is a paragraph about the USA dropping the ball. 

Effectively, England told Fiji to bug off so they could make some extra cash against Australia.  When things like this happen, you see why some are questioning how beneficent the big boys in the IRB really are.

There is only one round of games left in the 2008 Pacific Rugby Cup and of the six teams three have a chance of making the final: Savai’i Samoa, Tautahi Gold and reigning champions Uplou Samoa. And two of the three are playing each other!

The Tongan Tuatahi gold are currently leading the competition but will need to beat Uplou Samoa to secure their spot. If not they'll need their countrymen, the Tau’uta Reds, to beat Savai'i in order to make it through.

I know we've got a few Samoan and Tongan readers so I want to see some good (clean) sledging in the comments.

Here are the teams:

Pacific Rugby Cup Round 5 teams

Tau’uta Reds v Savai’i Samoa
Teufaiva Stadium, Tonga

Tau’uta Reds:
1 Toma Toke, 2 ‘Atelea Hu’akau, 3 Sateki Mata’u, 4 ‘Isileli Fine, 5
Sione  Timani, 6 Kelepi Halafihi, 7 ‘Afele Tongia, 8 Lotu Filipine, 9
‘Enele Taufa, 10 Sione Mone Tu’ipulotu, 11 Tupou Palu, 12 Sione Masima,
13 ‘Ofa Takai, 14 Ualosi Kailea, 15 Vaea Poteki

Replacements: 16
‘Otulea Fifita, 17 Siosiua Halanukonuka/Saia Taufalele, 18 ‘Emosi
Kauhenga, 19 Tavalea Takai, 20 Kitione Halapio, 21 Lataimuli ‘Anitoni,
22 Sila Va’enuku

Savai’i Samoa: TBA

Upolu Samoa v Tautahi Gold
Apia

TBA

Fiji Barbarians v Fiji Warriors
Subrail Park, Labasa
Kick off 3pm

Fiji Warriors:
15 Iliesa Keresoni, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Epeli Vuicuvu, 12 Vuniyani
Ratu, 11 Malakai Bakaniceva, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Aporosa Vata
(capt), 8 Deryck Thomas, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Wate Vocevoce, 5 Samuela
Anise, 4 Mosese Vasuitoga, 3 Viliame Seuseu, 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1
Alefoso Yalayalatabua

Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Isireli Temo,
Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Jale Koroitukana, Saula Radidi, Jonetani
Ralulu, Patrick Osborne

Fiji Barbarians: 15
Isimeli Koniferedi, 14 Apisalome Waqatabu, 13 Ropate Ratu, 12 Tikiko
Uluiviti, 11 Vima Tuidraki, 10 Ravai Fatiaki, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Aca
Bibi, 7 Ameniasi Nava, 6 Filipe Kuruvoli, 5 Mosese Fatiaki, 4 Mitieli
Cama (capt), 3 Setefano Somoca. 2 Aseri Buli, 1 Sakeo Latianara

Reserves: Eseroma Cakacaka, Sikeli Gavidi, Joeli Lutumailagi, Samu Bola, Kelemedi Bola, Masi Naoma, Amani Bosenawai

Another good win for the New Zealanders, maintaining their perfect start to the 2007/8 World Sevens Series with their fourth straight tournament win at George in South Africa, beating (nay, thumping) Fiji 34-7 in the final.

Some (slightly crappy) video highlights...

For those keeping score at home: Vilimaina Davu will play for Fiji (maybe) but not coach. Elizabeth Freeman will be the coach but not play.

Davu has also issued a challenge to the other coaches the the Netball World Champs, to swap the suit for a bib. You know if Lois Muir was still the coach she'd be in.

I can’t believe its Thursday already and I haven’t put up anything about the other two non-upset quarterfinals.

South Africa – Fiji

What we said:

South
Africa is not Wales and Fiji have little chance of an upset... South
Africa dominate all of the important stats especially the forward-based
ones…Fiji will go out and do what they always do: play sevens.

The numbers (updated after the last table showed Fiji won!):

 *minute of possession

Apart from the lineout
and the kicking South Africa seemed to run the show. What I don’t have
here is the fact that at 60mins the scores were equal at 20. Fiji
didn’t show any respect and really did back themselves to win.

This does not bode well for South Africa. They are due to face a very confident and well rounded Argentinean team.

Argentina – Scotland

What we said:

Only
four weeks ago people would have said that this match-up between
Argentina and Scotland would be close but that the Scots would win.
It’s amazing what a victory over France and Ireland can do for a team.
Not to mention hard and fast defensive rugby, good kicking, smart
tactics and a winning attitude

It seems though, that the Argentineans are better at getting the ball back off you and I am a strong believer that turnovers win games

The Argentineans are the only team I have seen so far that has the overall pace that matches the All Blacks.

Argentina look the business and are my “Lock of the Week”

The numbers:

*minute of possession

Well a 19-13 isn’t really “Lock of
the Week material. But they did enough for victory. I think perhaps it
was actually Scotland playing better than Argentina playing worse. Then
again Argentina’s no-tries-against record is in tatters.

Scotland
has kept their 0.30 rate of handling errors going, which is not so good
to see. But they did well in the lineout snaffling 15% away from the
Argentineans. Still turnovers once again tell the story. Argentina won
the ball in the ruck and maul every three and a half minutes that
Scotland had it. Scotland only got the ball back every 10 minutes that
Argentina had it.

This is where Argentina won the game. They
only had 51% of the possession but it was their ability to get the ball
back off Scotland that enabled the victory. I don’t have the breakdown
but I imagine that a lot of Scotland’s penalties would have come from
holding on to the ball.

Scotland can be congratulated on playing better than they have so far but Argentina are fast becoming the team to beat.

It's post-mortem time with the Dropkicks, who analyse just where the All Blacks went wrong in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France. Also: some thoughts on the other quarterfinals, and Athletes and Dicks of the Week.

Download Episode 37 - Quarterfinals review

Subscribe to the Dropkicks Podcast (iTunes users click here).

*minute of possession

The be-padded South African centre Jaque Fourie has said that the South Africans do not respect the Fijians. And while this seems a rather arrogant thing to say, you can’t argue with him. Firstly, he’s pretty tough and might thump you, and secondly he’s right, the respect needs to go from the Fijians to the South Africans.

South Africa is not Wales and Fiji has little chance of an upset. The table above really shows that. South Africa dominate all of the important stats, especially the forward-based ones (lineouts etc). Fourie is right again, Fiji needs to show respect, not South Africa.

The thing is that Fiji won’t bother respecting South Africa. Fiji will go out and do what they always do: play sevens.

I think that Fiji can win this if they keep the ball in hand and try tricky little chip kicks, behind the back passes etc etc. Because here’s the thing that Fourie forgets, the underdog will never beat his opponent if he respects them.

Quarterfinal action looms at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and the Dropkicks make their picks as to who's going to be facing off come Semi-final time. Also: Air NZ Cup results, Athlete and Dick of the Week, and the rundown on the big Dropkicks competition.

Download Episode 36 - Rugby World Cup Week #4 pt.2

Subscribe to the Dropkicks Podcast (iTunes users click here).