So is Smeltz really a kiwi?

So is Smeltz really a kiwi?

Playing devils advocate here.....As much as I like the idea of Smeltz continuing to play for us I have to question the ethics/rules of the German born (German passport holding?), English passport holding, New Zealand passport holding?, now Australian citizen being still eligble to play for NZ!

Good question. How is it that Smeltz now being  an Aussie can still play for NZ?

Because NZ is considered his main nationality, with the others being 2nd, 3rd, 4th

Think it's stupid how easy GCU have gotten around the import rule

I'm more concerend about their plundering the salary cap by 'hiring' players wives

The paper today said that he would be an Australian by August. I doubt that as you have to reside in Australia for 2 years.

I wonder if his growing up there counts against it ?

doesn't he have australian parents?

sounds like cheatin' to me....cue popular chant

Guys you are all freaking out here.

Smeltz would hold a British Passport from living there long enough, he did grow up in Australia so in reality is an Aussie anyway and his mum is a kiwi (I think). 

As to the fact that he was born in Germany, he won't hold Germany citizenship as normally German's are only allowed one nationality (German) unlike us Antipodeans and this would have stopped him playing for NZ.

This is no different then us moving quickly to make Daniel a kiwi.

Boro4eva2009-04-26 19:06:37

I agree with what you are saying, and it does seem like they are using it for their advantage, but I guess we can't do  much about it and the fact that he has lived in Australia in his childhood and his family are from there will make the process a lot more easy.
I think we just need to abolish the rule that Kiwis are imports so that we have more spread throughout the league anyway

That's how it used to be - but with Australia in AFC now, going back to those days is hard to envisage.

Hmmm I can't understand why there is a bit of a who hah about all of this - as long as Smeltzy aligns his alliegence to NZ who cares what other passports he has. As far as I am concerned the A-League is his job, career whatever you want to call it and playing for your country is his other role. It may also enable longingevity in the A-League.

I also agree with the playwithfire comment regarding abolishing the kiwi import rule. With all due respect its not too likely there are enough quality kiwis playing in the Oceania region who are in the same standard as the imported players. I will not be too suprised if there are many more players (NZ or foreign) who will use there residency in Australia to enable them to play in the A-League as a non import. Its just there job, there career, there livelihood! chareimos2009-04-26 11:28:36

Agreed but el grap does have a point. I'm surprised Nth Queensland signed Brockie because most imports are usually used on starting spots. But without this rule then we could see more kiwis in the league which would be great.

I'm still kinda hazy on how we can have Kiwis as non imports when we are supposedly an Australian Club in an Australian League.

This all boils down to the AFC v. OFC. NZ players aren't counted as domestics in the HAL because they come from a different confederation, because it would create problems for Australian clubs playing in the Asian Champions League. We have a special dispensation in this regard (so both Australian and NZ players count as 'domestic' for the Nix), but the other side of the coin is that we can't compete in the ACL anyway, so it's not as much of an issue from that point of view.

Ok cheers for that. Still think its silly.

Comes down to the Big join Asia debate i guess