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#Post#: 136097--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: April 3, 2025, 2:50 am
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Sure, I do think those guys will be as committed playing for the
Lions as anyone else. I don't really buy that every player is
bursting with national pride when they pull on their country's
shirt, anyway, but it's a good story to tell.
#Post#: 136099--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: April 3, 2025, 3:04 am
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Well at least it means that the home side always wins. Would be
nice if some of the international imports could learn the
national anthems and sing along with gusto though.
#Post#: 136124--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: QuincyJones
Date: April 3, 2025, 10:01 am
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--- Quote from: JammyGit link ---
>
> My apologies. I should have been clearer - and more accurate -
regarding my point. The Sydney-born Dempsey played for Australia
u18s & u20s, lived in and played all his professional rugby in
Australia until the age of 27, played for Australia ten times,
and had to qualify for Scotland via a standing down period. He
does of course have a Scottish grandparent.
>
> It's a very similar story for Sione, though he didn't get a
full Australia cap and moved to Scotland a couple of years
younger. I did forget he had a Scottish granny, though, which
was stupid of me.
>
> Anyway, to be clear, I'm not saying they shouldn't be playing
for Scotland. I'm not even particularly bothered by the concept
of Aussies, Kiwis, and Saffers playing international rugby for
countries they've spent barely any time in and haven't grown up
in or become top tier professional rugby players in. I'm not the
type to start yelling about mercenaries, and I'd be very happy
if Tyrone got an England call up, for example. But the Lions are
a weird anachronism that only exist because of tradition and the
insanity of bringing together four nations that generally do not
like each other very much to travel to the other side of the
world to take on a completely different rugby culture (okay and
the money). The likely presence of so many players who are from
the Southern Hemisphere in the touring party, and probably in
the test side, seems jarring and off putting in a way that isn't
true for me when it comes to regular international rugby. Given
the Lions relies so much on the emotional bond from the fans, I
can't help but think it'll further damage an ailing concept.
>
> I'd happily be an outlier here, though.
>
--- End Quote ---
Couldn't have put it any better. Totally agree.
I forgot Duhan, you're right! That's another in the test
backline. I don't have any problem with those that have
ancestry, such as Tuipulotu. Even if the link is grandparent and
not parent.
It's obviously impossible to know while they're still playing,
but I might even look back on the foreign contributions to the
Lions more fondly if they stayed in their adopted country after
retirement. Like if Nick Evans had played for the Lions for
example...he's set up his family and life in the UK. But they
almost always pack up and head straight back home the second
their playing careers are over. Flutey and Stander are 2 that
spring to mind.
How can any of JGP, DVdM, Aki or Lowe feel any British/Irish
pride? They can't.
#Post#: 136137--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: Bolly-Quin
Date: April 3, 2025, 1:50 pm
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Some 20% of the initial European immigration surge into New
Zealand/Aotearoa was Scottish - so they had a bit of a head
start; just wait until we see some Welsh chaps playing for
Argentina or Irish for the US...
#Post#: 136139--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: April 3, 2025, 1:54 pm
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--- Quote from: Bolly-Quin link ---
>
> Some 20% of the initial European immigration surge into New
Zealand/Aotearoa was Scottish - so they had a bit of a head
start; just wait until we see some Welsh chaps playing for
Argentina or Irish for the US...
>
--- End Quote ---
Is there a rugby club in Patagonia?
#Post#: 136141--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: euroquin
Date: April 3, 2025, 2:27 pm
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--- Quote from: Brown Bottle link ---
>
> Is there a rugby club in Patagonia?
>
--- End Quote ---
Plenty I'm sure. The nearest town to the Welsh speaking villages
is Trelew and apparently it has two: Trelew and Patoruzú rugby
clubs.
#Post#: 136142--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: Bolly-Quin
Date: April 3, 2025, 2:35 pm
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--- Quote from: Brown Bottle link ---
>
> Is there a rugby club in Patagonia?
>
--- End Quote ---
Yes - Patagonia RC, based in Neuquen.
#Post#: 136191--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: 22 Dropout
Date: April 4, 2025, 9:59 am
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Do Irish players that retire whilst playing in Ireland not get a
tax rebate for all of their playing earnings? I understood that
was one of the reasons Sexton returned. I suspect JL, BA and JGP
will stay around long enough to collect that.
#Post#: 136196--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: April 4, 2025, 10:27 am
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They certainly used to.
#Post#: 136201--------------------------------------------------
Re: Smith vs…
DIR By: QuincyJones
Date: April 4, 2025, 3:31 pm
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Professional athletes who spend at least 10 years of their
career competing in Ireland can claim a tax rebate of up to 40%
of the tax they paid on Irish income from their sport.
You don't need to retire in Ireland, so long as you've completed
the 10 years of tax residency.
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