World Cup: 'State of origin'
There is often talk about players having poached or 'artificial' players in their line-up, singing a foreign national anthem with fervour.
We have done a list and, no, New Zealand are not culprits at all.
In fact they are suppliers, as teams like Samoa and Tonga know only too well.
In fact there are 43 players born in New Zealand and playing for other countries. New Zealand could have had two teams playing at the World Cup!
They have five players born abroad.
England, too, are accused of poaching. They have three from abroad with 15 playing abroad. They are more supplying than supplied.
The same is true for South Africa who have Tendai Mtawarira from Zimbabwe as their only player born abroad, while 14 play abroad.
An interesting one is Kotaro Matsushima.
Lots of New Zealanders have played and still play for Japan, but 22-year-old Matsushima was born in Pretoria.
He did most of his schooling in South Africa, before going to finish it in Yokohama. But back he came to the Sharks Academy and played for the Sharks at Under-21 and at Vodacom Cup level.
That was in 2013.
After that he went back to Japan in 2014 and played for Suntory Sungoliath and on the wing for Japan. He now has 15 caps for Japan.
Both of the South African expats in North America, DTH van der Merwe and Niku Kruger, were mature when they went.
Van der Merwe who has been a star for Canada at the World Cup was 17 when his family emigrated from Worcester in the Cape to Canada.
Niku Kruger, the United States scrumhalf with the outstanding pass, left Pretoria Boys High and was at Tuks when he played for the Pumas (of Mpumalanga) Under-19. Then he went to the USA.
The only team with all home-born players is Argentina.
Then Georgia, South Africa and Uruguay have just one each.
Samoa have the most players born outside the country, mostly in New Zealand, followed closely by Tonga and Wales, then Japan and Scotland and then France.
There are captains who were born abroad.
Stephen Moore, captain of Australia who announced after the victory over England, that he was proud to be an Australian, was born in Saudi Arabia to Irish parents, who then went back to Ireland and emigrated to Australia when he was eight. There is no trace of Irish in his accent, just pure Strine.
Sergio Parisse, the captain of Italy, was born in Argentina to Italian parents when his father was employed by Alitalia. Parisse's father, also Sergio, had played rugby for L'Aquila and when he was 17. Sergio Jnr went back to Italy and played for Benetton Treviso. And in 2001, a teenager, John Kirwan picked him for Italy.
The Japan captain, Michael Leitch, was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and plays Super Rugby for the Chiefs. He was born of Fijian parents and went to Japan at the age of 15 to study. He is now a Japanese citizen.
Thierry Dusautoir was born in Abidjan, the capital of Côte D'Ivoire, to a French father and an Ivorean mother. The family moved to France when he was 10 and when he was 16 he played rugby for the first time.
Khan Fotuali'i was born in New Zealand and was considered close to being an All Blacks when he chose to play for Samoa, the land of his forebears. When Ofisa Treviranus was injured, he captained Samoa in the World Cup though he has never really lived in Samoa.
Teams
Argentina
Born abroad (0): They are all born in Argentina
Playing abroad (7): Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers), Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon), Mariano Galarza (Gloucester), Horacio Agulla (Bath), Marcelo Bosch (Saracens), Juan Imhoff (Racing-Métro), Juan Pablo Socino (Newcastle Falcons).
Australia
Born abroad (9): Stephen Moore (Saudi Arabia), Dean Mumm (Auckland, New Zealand), David Pocock (Gweru, Zimbabwe), Will Genia (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea), Quade Cooper (Auckland, New Zealand), Tevita Kuridrani (Suva, Fiji), Henry Speight (Suva, Fiji), Joe Tomane (Palmerston North, New Zealand).
The first four on this list have captained Australia.
Playing abroad: Matt Giteau (Toulon), Drew Mitchell (Toulon)
Canada
Born abroad (5): Richard Thorpe (Beckenham, Kent, England), DTH van der Merwe (Worcester, South Africa), Matt Evans (Salisbury, England), James Pritchard (Parkes, Australia), Gordon McRorie (Scotland)
Playing abroad (12): Aaron Carpenter (Cornish Pirates (England), Benoît Piffero (Castanet, France), Kyle Gilmour (Rotherham, England), Evan Olmstead (Australia), Richard Thorpe (London Welsh), Tyler Ardron (Ospreys), Jebb Sinclair (London Irish), Jake Ilnicki (Australia), DTH van der Merwe (Scarlets), Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates), Jeff Hassler (Ospreys), James Pritchard (Bedford Blues)
England
Born abroad (3): Mako Vunipola (Wellington, New Zealand), Billy Vunipola (Brisbane, Australia), Brad Barritt (Durban, South Africa)
Playing abroad (0): none
Fiji
Born abroad (3): Campese Ma'afu (Sydney, Australia), Josh Matavesi (Cambourne, England), Ben Volavola (Sydney, Australia)
Playing abroad (29): Sunia Koto (Narbonne. France), Talemaitoga Tuapati (Provence, France), Viliame Veikoso (Doncaster, England), Isei Colati (Nevers, France), Taniela Koroi 2 (Mogliano, Italy), Campese Ma'afu (Provence, France), Manasa Saulo (Timisoara Saracens, Romania), Tevita Cavubati (Worcester Warriors, England), Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland), Api Ratuniyarawa (Agen, France), Nemia Soqeta (Biarritz Olympique, France), Akapusi Qera (Montpellier, France), Malakai Ravulo (Steaua Bucuresti, Romania), Dominiko Waqaniburotu (Brive, France), Peceli Yato (Clermont, France), Sakiusa Matadigo (Lyon, France), Netani Talei (Harlequins, England), Nemia Kenatale (Farul Constansa, Romania), Nikola Matawalu (Bath, England), Josh Matavesi (Ospreys, Wales), Ben Volavola (Waratahs, Australia), Levani Botia (La Rochelle, France), Vereniki Goneva (Leicester Tigers, England), Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders, New Zealand), Timoci Nagusa 1 (Montpellier, France), Waisea Nayacalevu (Stade Français, France), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (London Irish, England), Kini Murimurivalu (La Rochelle, France), Metuisela Talebula (Bordeaux-Bègles)
Only Lee Roy Atalifo and Peni Ravai play their club rugby in Fiji.
France
Born abroad (10): Uini Atonio (Timaru, New Zealand), Vincent Debaty (Brussels, Belgium), Thierry Dusautoir (Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire), Bernard Le Roux (Moorreesburg, South Africa), Yannick Nyanga (Kinshasa, Zaire), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso), Rory Kockott (East London, South Africa), Sofiane Guitoune (Algiers, Algeria), Noa Nakaitaci (Lautoka, Fiji), Scott Spedding (Krugersdorp, South Africa)
Playing abroad (0): None
Georgia
Born abroad (1): Merab Sharikadze (Moscow, Russia)
Playing abroad (19): Simon Maisuradze (La Voulte-Valence, France), Kakha Asieshvili (Brive, France), Levan Chilachava (Toulon, France), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier, France), Anton Peikrishvili (Bayonne, France), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont, France), Giorgi Chkhaidze (Lille, France), Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac, France), Konstantin Mikautadze (Toulon, France), Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes, France), Mamuka Gorgodze (Toulon, France), Viktor Kolelishvili (Clermont, France), Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy, France), Lasha Lomidze (Béziers , France), Lasha Malaghuradze (Stade Bagnérais, France), Merab Sharikadze (Aurillac, France), Tamaz Mchedlidze (Agen, France), Merab Kvirikashvili (Montluçon, France), Davit Kacharava (Yenisey-STM, Russia)
Ireland
Born abroad (5): Richardt Strauss (Pretoria, South Africa), Nathan White (Hawera, New Zealand), Jordi Murphy (Barcelona, Spain), James Heaslip (Tiberias, Israel), Jared Payne (Tauranga, New Zealand)
Playing abroad (0): None
Italy
Born abroad (9): Matías Agüero (San Nicolás, Argentina), Martín Castrogiovanni (Paraná, Argentina), Dario Chistolini (Kempton Park, South Africa), Josh Furno (Melbourne, Australia), Quintin Geldenhuys (Klerksdorp, South Africa), Samuela Vunisa (Suva, Fiji), Sergio Parisse (La Plata, Argentina), Gonzalo Garcia (Mendoza, Argentina), Luke McLean (Townsville, Australia)
Playing abroad (12): Leonardo Ghiraldini (Leicester Tigers), Martin Castrogiovanni (Racing-Métro, France), Lorenzo Cittadini (Wasps), Michele Rizzo (Leicester Tigers), Josh Furno (Newcastle Falcons), Simone Favaro (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland), Samuela Vunisa (Saracens), Sergio Parisse (Stade Français, France), Tommaso Allan (Perpignan, France), Tommaso Benvenuti (Bristol), Michele Campagnaro (Exeter Chiefs), Giovanbattista Venditti (Newcastle Falcons)
Japan
Born abroad (11): Kotaro Matsushima (Pretoria, South Africa), Hendrik Tui (Auckland, New Zealand), Michael Leitch (Christchurch, New Zealand), Luke Thompson (Christchurch, New Zealand), Michael Broadhurst (Gisborne, New Zealand), Justin Ives (Mosgiel, New Zealand), Karne Hesketh (Napier, New Zealand), Koliniasi Holani (Tonga), Amanaki Mafi (Nuku'alofa, Tonga), Male Su'u Auckland, New Zealand), Craig Wing (Sydney, Australia)
Playing abroad (3): Fumiaki Tanaka (Highlanders), Hendrik Tui (Queensland Reds), Michael Leitch (Chiefs)
Namibia
Born abroad (2): Renaldo Bothma (Alberton, South Africa), Heinrich Smit (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Playing abroad (18): Torsten van Jaarsveld (Cheetahs, South Africa), Louis van der Westhuizen (Leopards, South Africa), Aranos Coetzee (Cheetahs, South Africa), Raoul Larson (South Western Districts Eagles, South Africa), Janco Venter (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa), Renaldo Bothma (Sharks, South Africa), Jacques Burger (Saracens, England), Wian Conradie (University of Johannesburg, South Africa), Rohan Kitshoff (Durbel, South Africa), PJ van Lill (Bayonne, France), Eugene Jantjies (Dinamo Bucuresti, Romania), Damian Stevens (University of Cape Town, South Africa), Theuns Kotzé (Bourg-en-Bresse, France), Johan Deysel (Leopards, South Africa), JC Greyling (Old Wesley, Ireland), Conrad Marais (Béziers, France), Heinrich Smit (NWU Pukke, South Africa), Chrysander Botha (Exeter Chiefs, England)
New Zealand
Born abroad (5): Ben Frank (Melbourne, Australia), Jerome Kaino (Faga'alu, Samoa), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Melbourne, Australia), Malakai Fekitoa (Ha'apai, Tonga), Waisake Naholo (Sigatoka, Fiji)
Playing abroad (0): None
Romania
Born abroad (4): Johannes van Heerden (Pretoria, South Africa), Michael Wiringi (Hawera, New Zealand), Otar Turashvili (Tbilisi, Georgia), Paula Kinikinilau (Fangaleounga, Tonga)
Playing abroad (11): Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne, France), Catalin Fercu (Saracens, England), Daniel Carpo (Coventry, England), Horatiu Pungea (Oyonnax), Ion Paulica (Perpignan, France), Marius Antonescu (Tarbes, France), Mihai Lazar (Castres, France), Mihai Macovei (Colomiers, France), Otar Turashvili (Colomiers, France), Valentin Ursache (Oyonnax), Vlad Nistor (Castres, France)
Samoa
Born abroad (14): Ole Avei (Wellington, New Zealand, Manu Leiataua (Wellington, New Zealand), Motu Matu'u (Wellington, New Zealand), Cencus Johnston (Auckland, New Zealand), Anthony Perenise (Porirua, New Zealand), Filo Paulo (Wellington, New Zealand), Kane Thompson (Wellington, New Zealand), Jack Lam (Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand), Faifili Levave (Wellington, New Zealand), Khan Fotuali'i (Auckland, New Zealand), Michael Stanley (Auckland, New Zealand), Johnny Leota (Palmerston North, New Zealand), Ken Pisi (Auckland, New Zealand), Tim Nanai-Williams (Auckland, New Zealand)
Playing abroad (26): Ole Avei (Bordeaux-Bègles, France), Manu Leiataua (Aurillac, France), Motu Matu'u (Hurricanes, New Zealand), Viliamu Afatia (Agen, France), Census Johnston (Toulouse, France), Anthony Perenise (Bristol, England), Zak Taulafo (Stade Français, France), Filo Paulo (Treviso, Italy), Joe Tekori (Toulouse, France), Kane Thompson (Newcastle, England), Maurie Fa'asavalu (Oyonnax, France), Alafoti Faosiliva (Bath, England), Jack Lam (Bristol, England), Faifili Levave (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), Ofisa Treviranus (London Irish, England), TJ Ioane (Sale, England), Vavae Tuilagi (Carcassonne, France), Kahn Fotuali'i (Northampton, England), Tusi Pisi (Suntory Sungoliath, Japan), Rey Lee-Lo (Cardiff Blues, Wales), Johnny Leota (Sale, England), Paul Perez (Sharks, South Africa), George Pisi (Northampton, England), Fa'atoina Autagavaia (Nevers, France), Ken Pisi (Northampton, England), Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle, England), Tim Nanai-Williams (Ricoh Black Rams, Japan)
Scotland
Born abroad (12): Willem Nel (Loeriesfontein, South Africa), Tim Swinson (London, England), Blair Cowan (Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand), John Hardie (Lumsden, New Zealand), Ryan Wilson (Aldershot, England), David Denton (Marondera, Zimbabwe), Josh Strauss, (Cape Town, South Africa), Samu Hidalgo-Clyne (Granada, Spain), Sean Maitland (Tokoroa, New Zealand), Tommy Seymour (Nashville, USA), Henry Pyrgos (Dorchester, England), Tim Visser (Zeewolde, Natherlands)
Playing abroad (7): Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons, England), Richie Gray (Castres, France), Blair Cowan (London Irish, England), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan, France), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester, England), Sean Maitland (London Irish, England), Tim Visser (Harlequins, England)
South Africa:
Born abroad (1): Tendai Mtawarira (Harare, Zimbabwe)
Playing abroad (8): Schalk Brits (Saracens, England), Schalk Burger (Suntory Sungoliath, Japan), Francois Louw (Bath, England), Fourie du Preez (Suntory Sungoliath, Japan), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, Ireland), Morné Steyn (Stade Français, France), Bryan Habana (Toulon, France), Zane Kirchner (Leinster, Ireland)
Tonga
Born abroad (12): Kurt Morath (North Shore City, New Zealand), Uili Kolo'ofai (Auckland, New Zealand), Paula Ngauamo (Christchurch, New Zealand), Tevita Mailau (Sydney, Australia), Tukulua Lokotui (Auckland, New Zealand), Steve Mafi (Fairfield, Australia), Joe Tuineau (Suva, Fiji), Jack Ram (Sydney, Australia), Siale Piutau (Auckland, New Zealand), Telusa Veainu (Kawakawa, New Zealand), Willie Helu (Otahuhu, New Zealand), Viliami Tahitu'a (Auckland, New Zealand)
Playing abroad (30): Hale T-Pole (Ricoh Black Rams, Japan), Kurt Morath (Biarritz, France), Uili Kolo'ofai (Newcastle Falcons, England), Aleki Lutui (Ampthill, England), Paul Ngauamo (Mont-de-Marsan, France), Elvis Taione (Exeter Chiefs, England), Halani Aulika (London Irish, England), Tevita Mailau (Perpignan, France), Sila Puafisi (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland), Sona Taumalolo (Grenoble, France), Soane Tonga'uiha (Oyonnax, France), Tukulua Lokotui (Béziers, France), Steve Mafi (Western Force, Australia), Joe Tuineau (Dax, France), Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester, England), Nili Latu (Newcastle Falcons, England), Jack Ram (Northland, New Zealand), Opeti Fonua (Leicester Tigers, England), Viliami Ma'afu (Oyonnax, France), Samisoni Fisilau (Jersey, England), Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons, England), Latiume Fosita (Doncaster Knights, England), Sione Piukala (Perpignan, France), Siale Piutau (Yamaha Jubilo, Japan), Viliami Tahitu'a (Northland, New Zealand), David Halaifonua (Gloucester, England), Will Helu (Edinburgh, Scotland), Fetu'u Vainikolo (Oyonnax, France), Telusa Veainu (Melbourne Rebels, Australia), Vunga Lilo (Montauban, France)
Sosefo Ma’ake plays in Tonga.
Wales
Born abroad 12): Tomas Francis (York, England), Aaron Jarvis (Exeter, England), Jake Ball (Ascot, England), Luke Charteris (Cambourne, England), James King (Wodonga, Victoria, Australia), Dan Lydiate (Salford, England), Ross Moriarty (St Helen's, England), Taulupe Faletau (Tofoa, Tonga), Alex Cuthbert (Gloucester, England), George North (King's Lynn, England), Gareth Anscombe (Auckland, New Zealand), Hallam Amos (Stockport, England)
Playing abroad (11): Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs, England), Luke Charteris (Racing-Métro, France), Bradley Davies (Wasps, England), Dominic Day (Bath, England), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester, England), Mike Phillips (Racing-Métro, France), Rhys Priestland (Bath, England), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins, England), James Hook (Gloucester, England), George North (Northampton Saints, England), Matthew Morgan (Bristol, England)
Uruguay
Born Abroad (1): Alejo Corral (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Playing abroad (5): Felipe Berchesi (Carcassonne, France), Alejo Corral (San Isidro, Argentina), Gastón Mieres (Valpolicella, Italy), Agustín Ormaechea (Mont-de-Marsan, France), Mario Sagario (Massy, France)
USA
Born abroad (10): Matekitonga Moeakiola (Tongatapu, Tonga), Greg Peterson (Sydney, Australia), Hayden Smith (Penrith, Australia), Alastair McFarland (Sydney, Australia), John Quill Youghal, Ireland), Niku Kruger (Pretoria, South Africa), AJ MacGinty (Dublin, Ireland), Shalom Suniula (Samoa), Andrew Suniula (Samoa), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Harare, Zimbabwe)
Playing abroad (12): Eric Fry (Newcastle, England), Titi Lamositele (Saracens, England), Matekitonga Moeakiola (Castanet, France), Cam Dolan (Cardiff Blues, Wales), Greg Peterson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland), Hayden Smith (Saracens, England), Samu Manoa (Toulon, France), Thretton Palamo (London Welsh, England), Andrew Suniula (CSM Bucuresti, Romania), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz, France), Blaine Scully (Cardiff Blues, Wales), Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)