Players need greater incentive for international game to grow

JAMES Segeyaro knows how powerful the global game could be but the Panthers hooker says players need to receive a greater incentive to help the game grow.

JAMES Segeyaro has a dream.

It’s a passion that burns deep inside the passionate dummy half from Papua New Guinea, but one that has gone unfulfilled.

“To see international rugby league on a stage it deserves to be on,” Segeyaro told League Central.

“It’s what we’re lacking as a code. We are growing the game within the country, but not outside.

“I’m in no position to say what needs to be done in the game. I’m not in administration at the NRL or anything, but the neighbouring countries need more support.

“The Fijians are killing the rugby sevens, so we need to invest more money within the Pacific nations.

“I think 47 per cent of the NRL is from the South Pacific and the more we give to those areas the more we’ll benefit.”

Segeyaro will never represent his native country again for personal reasons surrounding the treatment of his late father, but a day rarely does by when he doesn’t think about how powerful the global game could be if the players received greater incentive.

He gets excited about the prospect of Tony Williams and Andrew Fifita tearing it for Tonga or Sam Kasiano and Anthony Milford showcasing their silky skills for Samoa.

It’s why Segeyaro would love to see the introduction of a Six Nations tournament involving Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, PNG, Australia and New Zealand.

He has even called on the game’s broadcasters and sponsors to get on board and financially back it.

While Segeyaro understands Semi Radradra’s decision to pledge his allegiance to Australia over Fiji based on money and opportunity, he also knows the situation could be avoided if the barnstorming Eel was given more enticement to play for his homeland.

“If players have more incentive to play for their country it would change everything,” he said frankly.

James Segeyaro has pledged his allegiance to Australia.

“It’s why it’s good we have the battle of Pacific in the rep round, but we need to do more.

“It’s definitely something our game should address instead of just worrying about State of Origin and the Test match.

“Because honestly, Origin is completely taking over with all the money.

“I’d just like to put it out there to all the sponsors involved in the game to bring more incentive to the South Pacific nations and neighbouring countries.

“Once we start building up the other nations the game will grow.”

Segeyaro’s Six Nations idea has support from some of rugby league’s most influential players, coaches and officials.

Kiwis centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall believes the concept must happen for the game to grow, while Scotland half Peter Wallace is also a big fan.

Wallace played four Tests for the Scottish at the 2013 World Cup and has his sights set on representing them at the Four Nations in England this October.

For all his excitement, the veteran Penrith hooker is fully aware the Bravehearts desperately require more assistance to succeed.

“Because Scotland doesn’t have any money,” Wallace said.

“It would be really good to have an international board that could fund the tournaments a bit better so we have more incentive.

Scotland requires more assistance says Peter Wallace. Picture Gregg Porteous

“Australia gets about $20,000 a Test and we get maybe $2,500 for the whole tournament.

“We do it for our family history, so it’s not about the money but we are putting our body on the line.

“Then when you have to come back to an NRL pre-season it makes it a tough decision to make.”

As Tonga coach Kristian Woolf can attest, the issues surrounding international rugby league run much deeper than money.

Woolf cites the current eligibility rules as the major concern for developing nations and used Warriors flyer Tuimoala Lolohea as the perfect example.

Lolohea played in last year’s Pacific Test for Tonga, but finished the year with a Test for New Zealand during their tour to England.

He has since changed his eligibility to the Kiwis, which under the current rules, means he can’t represent Tonga until the end of World Cup in 2017 or the expiry of two years (whichever is earlier).

Lolohea is now in line for replace the injured Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback for New Zealand in the mid-season Test against Australia, but with ‘RTS’ to return he still faces the prospect of sitting on the sidelines during next year’s World Cup due to the current eligibility rules.

Woolf says there are plenty of players in the boat and has called for change.

Tuimoala Lolohea is in line to replace Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for New Zealand.

“That’s why to me the eligibility rule is a bigger issue than finance,” Woolf reasons.

“I think the best thing they could do is relax those rules.

“Michael Jennings, for example, if he isn’t selected for Australia and we want to grow those emerging nations then he should be eligible to play for Tonga.

“Over the next two years you could have guys like Lolohea, Will Hopoate and Tony Williams.

“Those calibre of players that may not fit into an Australian or New Zealand side that would help make Tonga extremely competitive and help us grow as an emerging nation.

“But over the next two years they’ll probably sit back and watch rep footy because of the rules.

“And there would be plenty of cases for Fiji and Samoa as well.

“Semi is dual eligible, so if he chooses to play for Australia that’s fine.

“But if he isn’t selected for Australia he should be free to play for Fiji.”

Eighth immortal Andrew Johns also wants greater incentive for our developing countries.

Johns offered up his complementary services to help Tonga in a coaching capacity this week because he knows how potent the Pacific nation could become with full backing.

“If Tonga had all their best players and they had it right they would be so hard to beat,” Johns enthused.

“You know what, in 20 years’ time the percentage of Pacific Island players in the NRL will be over 50 per cent.

“It’s inevitable and we will only strengthen our global game, so we need to act.”

It’s a dream for our international game Johns, Segeyaro and co will push for until it becomes reality.

Originally published as Players need greater incentive for international game to grow