vote yes because it would help the pacific nations . why are the all blacks so scared of losing these players when they dont even pick them for the starting line up. doug howlett,sione lauaki,sam tuitupou and rest show them your tongan and nesian pride by playing for tonga.:]:]:]

This proposed new rule has a flip side that could actually starve the pacific islanders of young fresh talent. (and benefit NZ/Aus possibly UK) Consider this, as a young uncapped player you could opt to play for NZ/Aus with all the top developement training and facilities etc, knowing that you havnt jepodised your future chances of playing for the pacific island nation of birth (or decendent of)

I never thought that New Zealand could be so scared of being knocked out at the opening game. YES,YES, YES!!!

The falling over the ball, lying on the ball at the breakdown is easy to resolve, just ask Pinetree, Mark Shaw or Buck, feed em some steel, bring back rucking, its all to easy. Harden the game up its got way to soft.

LEKSX : What? Mils has a Caucasian Father and a Samoan Mother... and he was born in Invercargill!!!

Josevata (Joe) Rokocoko didn't step onto his native soil (a small Fijian island separate from the mainland) until 3 years ago.

Kaino - Born in AMERICAN SAMOA... so no he couldn't play for MANU SAMOA

I think it would be a good rule to introduce, but make it longer than 1 year... that's too quick of a turnaround. If you really want it badly enough, and you're good enough, go stick it out for 3-4 years

This law change will massively help the Pacific Island nations whose players are plundered by the All Blacks, Australian teams and the like. Imagine strong Pacific teams that wont be hammered by the All Blacks by 100 points or by the Saffies..this would create a opportunity for better games, more money involved and sponsorphip. The law change would only mean players that have played Tier 1 Nations ie All Blacks NZ sevens Junior ABs to play for Tier 2 Nations ie. Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Japan Canada, USA. Not the other way round Tier 2 to Tier 1 or Tier 1 to Tier 1 ie. Former All Blacks to Australia or Springboks. Vote Yes and you will see Tonga defeat France in 2011 and the All Blacks winning the World Cup.

This is a long overdue solution, and would be beneficial to ALL PLAYERS and THE GAME.

Its important to note that many of the instances that have been quoted here cannot happen for an immigration point of view i.e. you cannot simply play rugby in England for a year and then suddenly qualify to be english.

The mandatory 3 year qualifucation would still apply - this rule however will benefit those who with ancestry, dual passports etc as it should as they have links to those places (as opposed to rugby mercenaries).

No way - what about the millions of dollars we spend developing these players into anything close to world standard, just for them to jump on the world cup bandwagon for anyone that will give them a game. If they want to play for the Islands so much, then why didn't they pick to play for them in the first place?!..Just look at the joke that is international Rugby League where you can jump ship evrey two weeks..dangerous implications for the world game.

How about getting rid of all rules except safety ones at the breakdown. Make the ball the offside line and so long as you enter behind the ball get rid of the stupid gate you have to enter. Any amount of handling is OK whether on the ground or not. This would make the ruck or maul a real contest and take away the referees confused rulings. This will commit more forwards to the breakdown so freeing up more room out wide for the backs and create a faster more entertaining game which people can understand whats going on.

Cairdy #45 - that's a good point about England and France strenghtening their playing rosters. We've already seen Ricky Flutey playing for england. Just think of all the kiwi talent they could harness. Knowing the IRB, who're all based in England as far as I've heard, that's what they'll be planning.