The 2023 Rugby World Cup saw a striking trend emerge, with several former All Blacks turning out for new nations and bringing a wealth of experience to the global stage.
Their influence added depth, quality, and a new dimension to a number of rising international sides.
With eligibility rules allowing players to switch allegiance after a three-year stand-down period through ancestry or residency, the road to 2027 looks set to bring even more change — and potentially reshape the international landscape.
A number of high-profile New Zealand-born stars are already in line to qualify for other countries, offering world-class talent, big-game experience, and genuine match-winning ability.
Here are some of the standout names who could make a major impact at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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Mark Tele’a – Wing – South Africa or Samoa
- Position: Wing
- All Blacks Caps: 19 tests (debut 2022)
- Club / Move: Leaves Blues end of 2025 to play in Japan, making All Blacks selection unlikely if he doesn’t return
Bio & Eligibility:
Mark Evander Tele’a (born 6 December 1996 in Auckland) is an explosive winger known for his powerful running game. With a South African father and a Samoan mother, he qualifies to represent either South Africa or Samoa.
As New Zealand Rugby typically does not select players based overseas, his move to Japan could potentially pave the way for a change in international allegiance. However, his most recent appearance for the All Blacks came in the 2024/2025 season, meaning any switch would depend heavily on timing.
Tele’a’s last Test match was on 23 November 2024. Under World Rugby’s eligibility regulations, he would become eligible to represent the Springboks or Samoa three years later, on 23 November 2027, through his parentage.
That date, however, falls just after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, scheduled from 1 October to 13 November, making him unavailable for that tournament.
