Comments on: Strauss answers Ireland’s call

By: bodisking

bodisking — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:24:43 +0000

The 3 year loop hole might be a bit of a joke but thems the rules and Ireland are nowhere near as bad as the All Blacks or the Poms when it comes to taking advantage of IRB eligility rules. Strauss and Touhy are the only foreign born players in a 31 man Ireland squad and you can count on one hand the number of non-Irish born players that have got anywhere near an Ireland XV in recent times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/1025/1224325678623.html

Ireland can’t produce world class player? Have you ever seen Brian O’Driscoll or Rob Kearney play?

By: JayBok

JayBok — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:17:22 +0000

Im a traditionalist. It should be our best vs their best. This 3 year loop hole is a joke. This is a concession that Ire. cant produce world class players. Ire. are going down the Poms road.

By: Lions_Soutie

Lions_Soutie — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 06:10:16 +0000

I wonder what his accent is like. Flo has picked up a hybrid Brit preppy accent which is quite hilarious.

By: Big Hit

Big Hit — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:57:28 +0000

@Rage-3: Maitland's Dad is Scottish unlike Strauss's 3-year residency which is less appealing.

By: David

David — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:02:18 +0000

@bodisking-4: I think he's referring to a loophole in Irish regulations, not IRB ones. It's similar to Aussie ones for the S15.

By: bodisking

bodisking — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:33:50 +0000

The “handy loophole” you refer to, and seem to be implying is uniquely irish, is actually the IRB international eligibility criteria and applies to all IRB members. http://www.irb.com/mm/document/lawsregs/regulations/04/23/28/120531gfirbhandbook2012freg8eng.pdf

By: Rage

Rage — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:26:12 +0000

I see Sean Maitland of the Saders is also heading to Scotland in the hope of wearing the navy jersey.I honestly do not like this trend.

By: digger

digger — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:16:59 +0000

Good on him. I always rated him! South Africa is blessed with loads of hookers and I am glad he gets to play some test rugby. He always had pace and always seemed to play with loads and loads of passion.

By: gecko

gecko — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:30:47 +0000

‘The Leinster No 2 could come up against his brother, Springbok hooker Adriaan, on 10 November in Dublin’

I think he is more likely to come up against his cousin, Springbok hooker Adriaan, as his brother, one-time-non-test-match Springbok Andries should never have been near a Bok team in the first place.