Wasps No.8 Nathan Hughes admits his decision to pledge national allegiance to England was motivated by the financial rewards on offer.
Fijian-born Hughes became available for the grand slam champions in June after qualifying on residency grounds and made his debut off the bench in Saturday’s 37-21 victory over South Africa.
Members of the Fiji squad who will run out at Twickenham this weekend are paid a mere STG60 ($A100) a day, a sum dwarfed by the STG22,000 ($A36,000) England players receive for each international.
The figures involved have resulted in Hughes adopting a hard-nosed professional outlook on rugby knowing that he must provide for his family.
“I would love for Fiji to have more resources, but it is the way it is. They just have to deal with it and live on whatever they have got,” Hughes said.
“There is a big difference and that is why people want to play rugby and how they survive.
“It is their bread and butter. That’s the decision I made – I play my rugby to support my family and put shelter over their heads.
“Back home it has all been positive comments, everyone happy and proud of the decision I have made.”
Despite the financial basis for his decision to represent England, Hughes insists the 26 minutes he played against South Africa were not without poignancy as he celebrated a proud moment in his career.
“I feel English now. I can say I’m an English person now. It was exciting to get the nod to come off the bench and represent England, I can say it’s my country now,” Hughes said.
“It was huge and it was emotional. I live here in England, it is where my family is now. This is home for me.
“I will not sing both anthems, I’ll only be singing the national anthem, God Save the Queen.”
Hughes, an explosive No.8 bristling with raw potential, is set to start in the back row against the nation of his birth on Saturday and realises that this guarantees special treatment at Twickenham.
“I do understand it. If you’re an Islander, and I have this opportunity to play against Fiji, you know what is coming. You take it and you have got to give it back,” he said.
