Richie Mo'unga approached to switch nations after All Blacks exile

Friday, 10 July 2026 at 22:51

byRugby Rucker

Richie Mo'unga has revealed he was approached about switching international allegiance while his All Blacks future remained uncertain.

The 56-Test fly-half, who recently returned to New Zealand following his stint with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan, admitted another nation explored the possibility of bringing him into their Test set-up.

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With Mo'unga unable to represent the All Blacks during the 2026 Test season under New Zealand Rugby's eligibility rules, speculation naturally grew over whether he could wear another international jersey before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Tonga made their move

It has now emerged that Tonga were the nation to make an approach.

Mo'unga qualifies through his late father, while he is also eligible for Samoa through his mother. Under World Rugby's eligibility regulations, a one-time switch would have been possible after serving the required stand-down period.

However, despite the opportunity to become a dual international, Mo'unga chose to remain committed to New Zealand.

His agent, Cameron McIntyre, told RugbyJP.com:

World Cup remains the target

Mo'unga's decision to return to New Zealand was driven by one goal – playing at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Although he will not be available for the All Blacks during the 2026 Test season, he is expected to come back into selection contention once he satisfies New Zealand Rugby's eligibility requirements.

That leaves the door firmly open for one of the world's best fly-halves to add to his 56 Test caps on rugby's biggest stage in Australia next year.

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10 Billy Vunipola (Tonga)

Vunipola was born in Australia to Tongan parents before later relocating to the UK. He is now eligible to change national allegiance under World Rugby regulations after earning the most recent of his 75 England caps in 2023.

Last year, reports connected him with a potential move to Tonga, while his Australian birthplace also leaves Australia as an option.

He has recently spoken against playing for Tonga, saying "To think about going back and potentially blocking a young Tongan kid who wants to give his family the same opportunity that I’ve had, I think would be pretty greedy.”

Although his stance appears clear, he still has time to switch should he reconsider.

9 Jack Willis (Ireland)

Willis qualifies for Ireland through his grandfather and would become eligible in late 2026 under World Rugby birthright laws, which allow a change of Test allegiance after three years away from international rugby.

Ireland’s centrally contracted players all represent one of the four provinces and only in very rare cases, such as fly half Johnny Sexton’s brief spell with Racing, have players been selected while based overseas.

The 29 year old back row forward won the latest of his 14 England caps with a single appearance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He now plays for Toulouse in the Top 14, which makes him ineligible for England under RFU rules.

8 Ma'a Nonu (Samoa)

The iconic centre last played Test rugby 11 years ago when he helped the All Blacks win the 2015 World Cup and continues his career in France with Toulon.

At 44 years of age, Nonu is still impressing in the Top 14 with his power, experience and skill, prompting speculation that an improbable return to international rugby may not be impossible.

Under current World Rugby regulations, players may change nations after a stand down period if they qualify through birthright.

With Samoan heritage, Nonu would therefore be eligible to represent Samoa, who are eager to strengthen their squad after a challenging recent qualification campaign.

7 Hoskins Sotutu (England or Fiji)

Sotutu last represented the All Blacks in November 2022 and will become eligible to switch to either England or Fiji in 2026. He qualifies for England through his mother and Fiji through his father.

In December 2025, Sotutu is set to leave New Zealand and move to England to join Newcastle Red Bulls in PREM Rugby on a three year deal starting in the 2026 to 27 season, which would make him eligible under RFU rules.

6 Val Rapava Ruskin (Georgia)

While not strictly a switch, as he has not represented another country, Rapava Ruskin could feature for Georgia at a World Cup. As a prop, however, he would be entering a position where they already have significant depth.

In June 2019, he was one of four uncapped players named in England’s provisional World Cup training squad.

He was again included in England’s training group in the summer of 2023 ahead of the summer fixtures and the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Born in Tbilisi, he left Georgia at the age of two and was raised in England.

5 Richie Mo'unga (Samoa or Tonga)

Richie Mo'unga is of both Samoan and Tongan heritage. After earning 56 caps for the All Blacks up to and including the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he will become eligible to switch allegiance to Samoa or Tonga under World Rugby rules.

Born in Christchurch to a Tongan born father and a Samoan born mother, the fly half will have completed his stand down period by the time of the World Cup. However, indications suggest he may instead pursue another opportunity with the All Blacks.

4 Shannon Frizell (Wales)

Born in Tonga, Frizell qualifies for Wales through his father Andrew, who is from Swansea.

His final Test appearance came in the 2023 World Cup final, where he received a yellow card and was replaced by Sam Whitelock in the 55th minute as New Zealand lost 11 to 12 and finished with silver medals.

His adoptive brother Tyson Frizell is notable for representing three different nations. He played for Wales in the 2011 Four Nations and 2013 World Cup, then for Australia between 2016 and 2019, including the 2017 World Cup, and later for Tonga.

Any potential switch would likely attract criticism from supporters due to Frizell’s off field issues.

3 Alex Lozowski (Italy)

Although he qualifies for Italy through his grandmother, Alex Lozowski has repeatedly turned down approaches to change international allegiance.

The future Sale Sharks playmaker earned five England caps between 2017 and 2018 and has remained committed to the Red Rose, choosing to wait for an England recall rather than represent Six Nations rivals Italy.

He does not appear close to selection under Steve Borthwick, which raises questions over whether he might reconsider, despite previously ruling it out.

2 David Ribbans (South Africa)

Ribbans was born in South Africa and went on to represent England after qualifying through ancestry.

The lock currently plays for Toulon in the Top 14 and shows no signs of leaving, which renders him ineligible for England under RFU regulations.

His most recent appearances under Steve Borthwick came at the 2023 World Cup, meaning he has completed his stand down period and could, in theory, switch to South Africa.

Speaking last year, he did not dismiss the idea of representing the Springboks but admitted he finds the concept “strange”.

1 Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)

Manu Tuilagi won 60 caps for England before moving to French club Bayonne and becoming ineligible in 2024. He has said he may attempt to represent Samoa at the next Rugby World Cup.

Born in Samoa and relocating to the UK at the age of 13, Tuilagi would be eligible to switch under World Rugby’s birthright rule in March 2027, three years after his final England appearance.

"It depends if I'm still be able to compete at that level," the 35 year old told Rugby Union Weekly in 2025.

"It's the World Cup - if you go, you go to win and to give your best, not just so you can say I'll play another World Cup.

"I'll be 36 then, so I don't know. We'll see."

NAME EVERY ENGLAND CAPTAIN OF THE PROFESSIONAL ERA:

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From World Cup-winning legends to short-term stand-ins, how many England captains of the professional era can you name?

You have five minutes to name them all. Good luck!?

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