Former All Black star Malakai Fekitoa will captain Tonga at this weekend's Final Olympic Rugby Sevens Qualifier in Monaco.
Fekitoa is one of three players switching their international allegiance to Tonga, alongside former Wallabies forward Lopeti Timani and ex Australian sevens international Afusipa Taumoepeau.
Players are eligible to represent a second country in an Olympic qualifying event after they have already played for another nation provided they hold a passport for their second country and have stood down from international rugby for three years.
Should he play in at least 50 percent of Tonga’s matches at the Olympic qualification event, Fekitoa will then become eligible to play test rugby for the ‘Ikale Tahi.
Meanwhile, 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.
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.
‘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. Manu Tuilagi (England to Samoa)
- Current number of caps: 41
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
- Did you know: He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team
The England centre, who was born in Fogapoa and came to the UK at the age of 13, is one of a clutch of Pacific Island players whose eligibility status could change if the restrictions are relaxed.
He is the younger brother of Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi, all of whom are Samoan internationals and also played for Leicester. He's mentioned before that he'd love to join them if possible.
His international career is likely to end later this year when he's tipped to join Racing from Sale Sharks. It would be fantastic for the powerhouse to complete the set.
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.
