LIST: 5 players who'd like to swap countries for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Tuesday, 28 September 2021 at 15:56

byRugby Rucker

World Rugby President Bill Beaumont is set to review of Regulation 8 which covers eligibility to play for national teams “to see how we can support the longevity of players’ international careers”.

This could lead to more players swapping nations with a number of players already declaring an interest.

“You could also work out a criteria to boost the Pacific Islands. Charles Piutau could return to play for Tonga after a four-year stand-down,” said Beaumont.

“Semesa Rokoduguni, the Tuilagi's, the Vunipolas who could all qualify for the likes of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga. When they’re coming to the end of their years they might fancy one last hoorah with those countries."

Here are five players who've declared a significant interest in swapping nations.

5 players who want to swap nations for 2023 World Cup

1. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Australia to FIji)

In an interview with the Daily Mail’s Nik Simon, the Northampton Saints winger international winger said he would ‘100 perc cent’ play for Fiji.

I’m 28 and I’ve still got the best years ahead of me, so the opportunity to play for Fiji would be a dream come true,’ he told Sportsmail.

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Taqele Naiyaravoro: • Very big • Very fast • Very scary You don't see many people swatting Billy V away 😳

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12:38 PM · Sep 16, 2018

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‘I have no regrets about playing for Australia. I was pretty young at the time when the opportunity came along and I went for it.

‘But Fiji has always been in my heart. It’s where I was born. When I left Fiji for Australia, my dream was to play for Fiji. I would 100 per cent commit to Fiji if that opportunity came along.’

2. Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand to Tonga)

Current number of caps: 41
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know: He won 24 caps for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2017

Different to the other players on this list, the former All Blacks centre has already taken advantage of a loophole in the rules to make the international switch. He qualified to swap his allegiance to Tonga by playing in last June’s Olympic sevens qualifying event in Monaco.

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Malakai Fekitoa has made himself available for Tonga at the Monaco 7s Olympic Qualifier. Fekitoa can therefore use the loophole to change his international allegiance from New Zealand to Tonga. No sign of Charles Piutau though.

9:13 AM · Jun 11, 2021

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3. Charles Piutau (New Zealand to Tonga)

Current number of caps: 20
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know? He is the younger brother of 42-cap Tonga centre Siale Piutau.

Piutau, who started his career with Tonga U20 side last played for All Blacks in July 2015 after he was omitted from the World Cup squad that year and his move to Europe effectively ended his chance of Test recall under Steve Hansen.

“I’d love nothing more than to be able to represent Tonga at the next World Cup,” Piutau, who has the backing of Pacific Rugby Players’ Welfare (PPRW) told Press Association Sport.

“I’ve expressed my desire to do that previously, but so far there has been no word about whether that would be possible.

“I’m holding out hope that it can still happen, but obviously the longer that goes on without any suggestion of the rulings changing, then the less likely that becomes.”

4. Nathan Hughes (England to Fiji)

Current number of caps: 20
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know? His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby

The number eight was unlucky not to be included in Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The number eight, who has impressed for Bristol Bears this season, would be a stellar addition to the Fiji pack.

5. Mako Vunipola (England to Tonga)

Current number of caps: 70
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know:? In 2018, Vunipola and his partner welcomed a son, Jacob.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, the loosehead-prop would be eligible to play for Tonga as he is the son of former Tonga captain Fe’ao Vunipola.

The prop said: "When I’m with England, I’m proud to be English, but understanding my heritage is Tongan. Whatever I can do to try and help as much as I can; not just with Tonga but the islands, I do.

“Obviously I’d love to play for them, but it’s difficult because it would be unfair to those back on the island; to see myself as an old man coming in and taking that opportunity away from them.

"It’s a catch-22 really. You’d like to see people not being tied down to one (country) and being able to represent those countries – and they’d be better for it – but you’d also like locals to have the opportunity to make a better life for themselves by playing for their country and on the back of that getting contracts overseas.”