Kenny Logan questions Hardie call up for Scotland
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Kenny Logan questions Hardie call up for Scotland
Former Scotland star Kenny Logan has questioned the decision by Scotland to call up Highlanders flanker John Hardie to their World Cup squad.
Hardie qualifies to play through his grandmother but has never played professional rugby in Scotland, despite his significant success in Super Rugby which included the Highlanders winning the title this year.
Foreign-born players are nothing new for Scotland and their World Cup squad includes Josh Strauss and WP Nel, from South Africa, along with Sean Maitland and Blair Cowan who were born and grew up in New Zealand.
Logan stated that he didn’t blame the players for wanting to play international rugby, but was unhappy with the current eligibility system.
"When I heard Scotland had called John Hardie into their World Cup squad I must admit my first thought was not again," Logan said on Kicca.
"It is within the rules and he does qualify because his grandmother is from Scotland, but it is still hard on our homegrown players.
"He's a quality player and is a good addition to the squad, but it is still very tough on the players who have worked and trained all-year round to make it into the squad.
"Finding overseas players has become part of the modern game. If you can enhance your team by looking elsewhere then it will happen. I don't blame the players, but it doesn't always feel right.”
Hardie qualifies to play through his grandmother but has never played professional rugby in Scotland, despite his significant success in Super Rugby which included the Highlanders winning the title this year.
Foreign-born players are nothing new for Scotland and their World Cup squad includes Josh Strauss and WP Nel, from South Africa, along with Sean Maitland and Blair Cowan who were born and grew up in New Zealand.
Logan stated that he didn’t blame the players for wanting to play international rugby, but was unhappy with the current eligibility system.
"When I heard Scotland had called John Hardie into their World Cup squad I must admit my first thought was not again," Logan said on Kicca.
"It is within the rules and he does qualify because his grandmother is from Scotland, but it is still hard on our homegrown players.
"He's a quality player and is a good addition to the squad, but it is still very tough on the players who have worked and trained all-year round to make it into the squad.
"Finding overseas players has become part of the modern game. If you can enhance your team by looking elsewhere then it will happen. I don't blame the players, but it doesn't always feel right.”
