Former Sader eyes Rose

Former Sader eyes Rose

24 Mar 2011

Former Crusaders No 8 Thomas Waldrom could be the latest Kiwi to make his Test debut for England this year.

With former Hurricanes centre Riki Flutey and former New Zealand rugby league international Shontayne Hape already in the England setup, Waldrom could join the duo as the third New Zealander to play for the 2011 Six Nations champions.

The Leicester Mercury has reported that Waldrom, who is currently playing for Leicester after leaving the Crusaders last season, is eligible to play for England this season and could feature for Martin Johnson’s charges in his homeland at the World Cup in September and October.

The 27-year-old has confirmed that he doesn’t have to serve the IRB’s 36-month residency regulation for players switching nationalities because his grandmother is English.

‘In theory, I could play tomorrow if they wanted me,’ Waldrom said. ‘I would definitely take it if I got the nod for the World Cup. My agent came round and he brought the pamphlet with the International Rugby Board’s rules regarding qualifying after residency.

‘My wife was going through the criteria. She saw the line about being able to qualify immediately if one of your grandparents was born in the respective country.

‘I remembered reading somewhere that my grandmother was English. I rang up my mum in New Zealand, where it was four o’clock in the morning, and asked if Nana was born in England. She said yes, and that she also had the birth certificate to prove it.’

Waldrom’s brother, Chiefs flanker Scott, has featured for the All Blacks before but the former was never considered for the national side during his time with the Hurricanes and Crusaders. Waldrom says he will accept a call-up if given one.

‘It would be a great honour to put the [England] shirt on,’ added Waldrom. ‘It would be a privilege to play against the All Blacks if the chance came along, and would be a chance for me to show them just how good I am.’


12 Comments

  • 1.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 09:33 am

    How embarrassing for the Poms, would they find a St George brave enough to fight their own dragon ?

  • 2.gonzo: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 09:34 am

    He’d actually be the 4th dragon from NZ – don’t forget Dylan Hartley, the first “European” to score a try vs the ABs in years

  • 3.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 09:37 am

    sheesh… and here we get called poachers, wonder how the very same people who have loved saying this about the ABs feel now that they are continally poaching kiwis..

    pot, kettle .. you know the rest..

  • 4.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 09:51 am

    Read the headline and thought that our Earl was heading for Christchurch. Like something from a David Lynch film.

  • 5.Finfan: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 10:47 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-4: Yes, the Saders’ 10 has really been disappointing for several years now and I can understand that they’d be looking for someone like Earl to get back on track…

  • 6.Rage: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 11:19 am

    For some reason I also thought it was “Earl the Pearl” Rose..lol

  • 7.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 11:29 am

    tommy the tank has been exceptional for the tigers and the sky commentators are always gushing about him…

    The pom team will be ‘all kiwi’ in a few years to come, with blokes like bowden playing over there…

  • 8.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 11:35 am

    @Rage(Rage)-6: Yes. Just imagine what Earl Rose can do with that backline.

  • 9.Rage: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 14:36 pm

    Yeah was quite foolish to even dream about Rose joining the Saders! The closest he’ll ever come to them again is sitting between the red’n black clad Crusaders fans at Newlands…As for Waldrom,could never understand how someone with the shape of Dunning could be such a useful no 8!

  • 10.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 21:26 pm

    @poppa69(poppa69)-3: it’s hardly poaching when they’re not wanted (unlike poor Samoa/Fiji/Tonga) besides this tub hasn’t even been called up.

  • 11.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2011, 21:58 pm

    this is basically a story about a kiwi gushing about how he would love to play for england.

    nothing more.

    so poopa (you old missionary boiler you) and balckpantie you k nobhead, cool your jets and remember your saffa ab lock laddies.

  • 12.stew: Reply to this comment
    30 Mar 2011, 07:37 am

    Waldron is a great player but without a regular starting spot in NZ i dont blame him for jumping ship

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