Charles Piutau playing for the All Blacks in 2015. Photo by Marty Melville/AFP
World Rugby to rule on Test allegiance switches
International players could be able to switch allegiances to another Test team if World Rugby agrees to this revolutionary change.
Charles Piutau playing for the All Blacks in 2015. Photo by Marty Melville/AFP
Currently, World Rugby stipulations mean that an international player has been “captured” or tied to one international team once they have earned a senior Test cap. In some instances, a nation’s second team or sevens side can also “capture” a player.
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However, according to BBC Sport, the game’s governing body will discuss the new proposal during the next council meeting on 24 November.
A 75% majority – or 39 of 52 votes – is required for the ruling to pass.
If the changes are accepted, a player could be eligible for a nationality switch once they have not played any international rugby for at least three years.
Theoretically, former All Blacks star Charles Piutau could represent Tonga as soon as next year, for example.
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Players would need to have a “close and credible link” to another country – through birth or the birthplace of parents or grandparents – to switch national allegiances.
Interestingly, rugby sevens’ inclusion in the Olympic Games from 2016 has already opened up an eligibility loophole of sorts, with former All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa having featured for Tonga in Olympic qualifying events.
The proposals that World Rugby will vote on before the end of November are said to well supported by the Pacific Island countries, with many players of this ancestry representing other international teams. Yet there is no doubt that it would lead to mixed reactions should this be agreed upon.
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World Rugby has already previously confirmed that the residency qualification period will be extended from three to five years, with this ruling set to take effect from 31 December 2021.
