Poaching days over

THE days of New Zealand poaching Manu Samoa players are over. A ruling by the International Rugby Board that any player wishing to switch from one country to another must stand down for three years has effectively slammed down the door on “dual internationals”. Previously, a gentleman’s agreement existed be tween the Western Samoan and New Zealand rugby unions which allowed players until February 15 of each year to declare the nation they would represent if eligible for both. Upon learning of the ruling, Western Samoa’s technical director Bryan Williams observed, “It practically stops any player from appearing for a second country because, at interna tional level, players can’t afford to wait for three years.” □