Digracefull England

Rugby 365...

Retired flank Hendre Fourie was good enough to play for England, but now that he has quit rugby he is set to be repatriated by the country he represented in eight Tests.

Fourie revealed on Monday that he is poised to return to South Africa, because he cannot get a visa to remain in England.

The 33-year-old flank announced his retirement last week, after because of a shoulder injury.

Once his contract with Sale Sharks was cancelled, his visa was no longer valid.

The 33-year-old, whose 18-month-old son Hendro was born in England, has been in the country for eight years - having played for Rotherham (52 games), Leeds (71) and Sale - who he joined last year and played just three matches before the injury ended his career.

He played in eight Tests for England since his debut in 2010.

"I can play for England, but I can't get a passport to stay in the country,"he told The Times.

"If I had remained on a sports people visa for another two years, I would have got residency, but unless someone is willing to give me another contract, that is not going to happen.

"My wife [Corlia] is South African, but my boy was born here and I would like to have stayed here and tried to get a teaching job.

"There were options to appeal but I would have had to wait another few years before I could get my permanent residency.

"It has been a red-tape nightmare and we just decided it was not worth all the hassle.

"That's the amazing thing, I am not able to claim any benefits in this country. I have always paid my taxes, have represented England, but I have to leave while you hear how they protect the rights of terrorists."

Fourie joined Rotherham Titans eight years ago on a working holiday visa and later switched to an international graduate visa when studying for a teaching degree.

A move to play for Leeds Carnegie would lead to a tier-one highly skilled visa and England selection in 2010.

It looked as though Fourie may earn a place in England's 2011 World Cup squad only for his injury curse to strike again in the final warm-up game against Ireland - his last appearance for his adopted country.

His transfer to Sale that same year triggered another change to a tier-two sports people visa that expired when his contract with the Sharks was cancelled.

A UK Border Agency spokesperson told the newspaper: "Anyone studying or working in the UK must abide by the terms of their visa. If an individual's circumstances change and they no longer meet the terms of their specific visa they can apply for a visa of a different type that better fits their needs."

This is disgracefull. how can a guy represent his adopted country and they are not even willing to give the guy residency. Why can't they reward him for that at least?

Its crazy really but the Uk is apparently cutting down on its immigrants. Its a small Island with a big population so that at least is undertadble.

However you should surely be a fully fledged citizen before representing a country - end of!

Yeah, that really does suck! They should go back to the history books and erase any victory achieved by England in sport if the players that represented England were not permanent residence....oh wait.....then England would have won nothing in the last 50 years....ok, nevermind!!

 That is very surprising. It just goes to show that anyone can represent England, even those that are not even Citizens

8 years? He should have been able to apply for leave to remain long ago, maybe he just never applyed idk.

 I posted a comment on the home page.

Absolutely pissed off with the Poms and the cost of supporting them through two world wars.

A disgrace......

Arthur  John

My father told me years ago how in the period 1946-47 the SA Government bought up wool at a price of 9 pennce a lb tohelp the England clothing industry and that aside from that the SA Government made a grant of 80 million pounds to England to help them in their war recovery program.

The above measures ruined many farmers and it took many years for the farmers to recover.  Matter of fact the price of wool reach a high of 1 pound  per pound of wool- showing what the real price should have been in 1947/  It was this = as well as the disgustingly  poor treatment by the SA Government of returning soldiers - that caused the United Party Government to lose the 1948 elections to the National Party  

Be it as it may - the participation of SA in both World Wars in support of England ultimately had no benefits for the country itself - so I share your point of view on the relevant issue.

An Update on the Fourie visa issue, It seems that the UK government is attempting to give him options. A nice Turnaround for Hendre i would think.

9 Jan 2013

Former England flank Hendre Fourie has been told by immigration officials that he does not have to leave Britain.

According to The Telegraph, officials from the UK Border Agency contacted Fourie on Tuesday after he revealed he was moving back to South Africa because he thought his working visa had been terminated by the Sale Sharks on his enforced retirement.

Fourie, who played eight Tests for England, believed he had only 60 days from the moment Sale informed the Border Agency in December that his employment had been terminated. But the agency told him on Tuesday that the process had not been started. It also discussed options that would enable him to remain in the UK.

‘We have not curtailed Mr Fourie’s visa at this time and he is not required to leave the UK,’ a UK Border Agency spokesman said. ‘His employment contract with Sale Rugby Club has been terminated and his employer has rightly informed UKBA of this decision. We are considering what action to take next.

‘If an individual’s circumstances change and they no longer meet the terms of their specific visa they can apply for a visa of a different type. Mr Fourie has been informed of the process and the various options available to him. It is entirely up to him if he chooses to explore any of them further.

All very reasonable from the Poms and Becs is no doubt bursting with pride.

"Fourie's "sports people visa" was due to expire in June but he said earlier in this week that he would love to stay in the country and pursue a career in teaching. "

A teacher? Hmmmmm he shouldn't have any trouble keeping High school boys in line :)

Welcome back to the board muncher! Unfortuntaley but not unexpectedly you are off too a poo rstart. The debt position re the UK is as follows:

The UK national debt is the total amount of money the British government owes to the private sector and other purchasers of UK gilts.

• Public sector net debt was £1,068 billion at the end of October 2012, equivalent to 67.9% of GDP
• Source: Office National Statistics publications[1] (page updated Nov 21st 2012)

so muncher you are competely wrong. Also its amazing what the Uk has achieved with so little in resources. Much like Japan. We sit on a treasure trove of minerals and other tremendous resources and spend our time shooting ourselves in the foot.

Comments like the filth that is England reflect more on you than England.  Up your game muncher! Why so anti?

Beeno keeping it real.