theflyingkiwi Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Not really he just used the system and the flag .. I never seen him as a brit and if the truth is told nor does he when he quits speedway he already said he's going live in qz etc ....Not sure how putting next to zero effort last year in the uk was promoting the sport . What about the sheer amount of hours he spent with the media, going on BBC Breakfast, Sky Sports, Radio 5 live to name but a few. When have you seen coverage like that in the national press of a minority sport that quite frankly is dying in this country. How did he use the system and the flag? He could have quite easily come over and do the same thing riding under the Australian flag. Darcy Ward started out with Boston in the CL. Tai chose to ride for GB, he is the captain of the GB team and I would say that is far from using the GB flag to work the system. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 What about the sheer amount of hours he spent with the media, going on BBC Breakfast, Sky Sports, Radio 5 live to name but a few. When have you seen coverage like that in the national press of a minority sport that quite frankly is dying in this country. How did he use the system and the flag? He could have quite easily come over and do the same thing riding under the Australian flag. Darcy Ward started out with Boston in the CL. Tai chose to ride for GB, he is the captain of the GB team and I would say that is far from using the GB flag to work the system. Well said. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 What about the sheer amount of hours he spent with the media, going on BBC Breakfast, Sky Sports, Radio 5 live to name but a few. When have you seen coverage like that in the national press of a minority sport that quite frankly is dying in this country. How did he use the system and the flag? He could have quite easily come over and do the same thing riding under the Australian flag. Darcy Ward started out with Boston in the CL. Tai chose to ride for GB, he is the captain of the GB team and I would say that is far from using the GB flag to work the system. As a aussie he would not have got a wildcard pick and become World Champion . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 As a aussie he would not have got a wildcard pick and become World Champion . He was good enough to get a Wildcard pick last season as an Oz. Makes no difference. He is a proud Brit so the comments don't hold any real ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superguest Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) He was good enough to get a Wildcard pick last season as an Oz. Makes no difference. He is a proud Brit so the comments don't hold any real ground. He really emerged in 2013. I doubt he would have been picked for a WC had he not been British at the end of 2012 season. That said, im not too bothered if he doesnt race in GB for a season. He will either decide its the way forward or admit he needs Britian. And Wolves can sign someone else who knows whats what. Edited December 1, 2014 by superguest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 He was good enough to get a Wildcard pick last season as an Oz. Makes no difference. He is a proud Brit so the comments don't hold any real ground. Seemingly in much the same way that Switzerland-domiciled Lewis Hamilton is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Seemingly in much the same way that Switzerland-domiciled Lewis Hamilton is? Thought he lives in Monaco?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) He was good enough to get a Wildcard pick last season as an Oz. Makes no difference. He is a proud Brit so the comments don't hold any real ground. Is he ? has got the link he turns his back on the UK league system that made him and going to live in OZ once the speedway ends . Hardly the actions of a proud brit . He never would have said he was Brit unless he got the perks that came with it . Edited December 1, 2014 by orion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) I have no issue with Tai - particularly with his media and charity work - but he doesn't do himself any favours in the Brit v Aussie debate, by constantly referring to Oz as 'home'; often speaking in an Aussie drawl and mixing with his Aussie best mates most of the time!! Edited December 1, 2014 by Skidder1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superguest Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) I have no issue with Tai - particularly with his media and charity work - but he doesn't do himself any favours in the Brit v Aussie debate, by constantly referring to Oz as 'home'; often speaking in an Aussie drawl and mixing with his Aussie best mates most of the time!! When i hear Lewis Hamilton talk these days, he sounds very american. Tai has spent a lot of his life with Aussies so i can understand the accent. And in his defence hes never ridden in the Aus champs. Hes just over stretched himself. Less time with the media and dropping a few swedish meetings would have been just as effective. Edited December 1, 2014 by superguest 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 When i hear Lewis Hamilton talk these days, he sounds very american. Tai has spent a lot of his life with Aussies so i can understand the accent. And in his defence hes never ridden in the Aus champs. Hes just over stretched himself. Less time with the media and dropping a few swedish meetings would have been just as effective. Why would he want to drop Sweden? I mean, its just a hop from Poland. Besides, i would expect the money is chickenfeed in this country in comparison to Sweden..And then there's the state of our roads, and some of our tracks. I do take it you watch the Swedish meetings on TV? And again, whats the difference between the polish and Swedish race night compared to ours ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 He really emerged in 2013. I doubt he would have been picked for a WC had he not been British at the end of 2012 season. That said, im not too bothered if he doesnt race in GB for a season. He will either decide its the way forward or admit he needs Britian. And Wolves can sign someone else who knows whats what. I don't see why he would need to ride in Britain again,it does not help his chances in the GPS at all more of a hindrance if anything.To be honest i was surprised he rode in Britain last year,i thought he was a great World Champion for our sport good luck to him in trying to regain the crown. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecoombdog Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Am I missing something with this Aussie thing? Born in England to English parents. End of discussion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) Is he ? has got the link he turns his back on the UK league system that made him and going to live in OZ once the speedway ends . Hardly the actions of a proud brit . He never would have said he was Brit unless he got the perks that came with it . Yes he is. How do you know what he will do once his career is over? A cheap pop. Why now has he not reverted back to his beloved Oz race jacket seeing he doesn't need the UK no more? Why didn't he go back to Oz in the close season and do his fund raising/profile raising seeing as he is such a proud Aussie?? Think his actions give a clear picture. I believe Brits should ride in their own leagues before Sweden/Poland so I am naturally disappointed in his decision. However lets lay the blame exactly where it belongs, at the door of our governing body. Season after season they are letting top riders leave our league because they want seem determined to stay alienated from the rest of Europe. There stubbornness has seen riders, and fans walk away. Tai is doing what Greg, Nicki, Gollob and many, many more have done because of the failure of the BSPA to give the riders and in particular the FANS what they want. I am talking about EL fans so this doesn't apply to teams/promotions/fans of the PL. I am disappointed in his decision by not at all surprised. Starman2006, on 01 Dec 2014 - 7:50 PM, said:Why would he want to drop Sweden? I mean, its just a hop from Poland. Why? Well it was only 2012 he was slating Sweden because he hadn't been paid and was going to give them a miss. Now it seems they are back in favour. At the EL expense. Apparently he is buying/has a house in Sweden so no hopping required! I don't see why he would need to ride in Britain again,it does not help his chances in the GPS at all more of a hindrance if anything.To be honest i was surprised he rode in Britain last year,i thought he was a great World Champion for our sport good luck to him in trying to regain the crown. Really? Yet he managed to be crowned World Champion whilst riding IN Britain. Some people quickly forget it seems. Am I missing something with this Aussie thing? Born in England to English parents. End of discussion. Just some picking at his Aussie links for the sake of it. With no substance. Edited December 1, 2014 by stevebrum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) Yes he is. How do you know what he will do once his career is over? Because he says so himself ...he has always made it quite clear that oz is his home and will live there full time when speedway is finished . Edited December 1, 2014 by orion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve0 Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Because he says so himself ...he has always made it quite clear that oz is his home and will live there full time when speedway is finished . I'd like to live in Oz too but that doesn't make me an Aussie! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 orion, on 01 Dec 2014 - 9:25 PM, said:Because he says so himself ...he has always made it quite clear that oz is his home and will live there full time when speedway is finished . We must read different articles. He lived a huge chunk of his childhood in Oz, so it wouldn't be a surprise would it. My point remains, its what he does now that makes him a Brit or an Aussie. A brit is the clear choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 Because he says so himself ...he has always made it quite clear that oz is his home and will live there full time when speedway is finished . Even the late John Berry moved to Oz after speedway, it's not uncommon and who can blame them. Air conditioning over heating any day for me... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I'd like to live in Oz too but that doesn't make me an Aussie! I was replying to the question about how do we know where he will live once the Speedway is over . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I was replying to the question about how do we know where he will live once the Speedway is over . I haven't read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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