Five players in line for a change in national allegiance in 2024
World Rugby’s change in eligibility laws in 2022 has opened the door for players with mixed heritage to represent more than one side of their family tree, and every year more players become eligible for a change of national representation.
The stand-down period is four years, so players who last played international rugby in 2020 will be free to offer their services to other nations they qualify for in 2024.
That opens the door for some of the island nations, in particular, to welcome some global superstars into their ranks.
Tonga assembled an Avengers-esque cast in 2023, but we have yet to see the heights within reach of the teams once the influence of their newcomers is fully realised, and chemistry is built.
Here are five players who could feature in new national colours in 2024 come the international season.
Julian Savea: Samoa
The Bus is on the move; the former All Blacks star and the man responsible for every French nightmare in 2015 has moved on from the Hurricanes and will suit up for Moana Pasifika in 2024’s Super Rugby Pacific season. Could a change in national allegiance also be on the cards for the 33-year-old?
Savea’s form has naturally declined over recent years but there’s no denying his strength is still very much of game-breaking quality, and the connection with new Moana coach Tana Umaga – who also acts as Manu Samoa assistant – should not be overlooked.
Umaga joked with The Breakdown ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup that he would be recruiting Manu Samoa players to Moana, and it’s most likely he would look to build that bridge with two lanes.
Having donned the black jersey for the last time in 2017, Savea is comfortably eligible to suit up for his parents’ nation of birth, Samoa, within the World Rugby laws.
Savea could join a cast that included Lima Sopoaga, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Lam and Steven Luatua in 2023.
Ngani Laumape: Tonga
Another Wellington representative, Laumape’s last outing for the All Blacks was in 2020, meaning he was unable to join Tonga’s all-star cast at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but would be eligible to make his debut in 2024.
With names like Charles Piatau, George Moala, Ben Tameifuna and Israel Folau already on deck, Laumape’s inclusion in the ‘Ikale Tahi squad would make them even more of a threat and a real draw card for any End of Year Tour matchups that come the team’s way.
Since leaving New Zealand in 2021, Laumape has had the benefit of club experience in France with Stade Francais and in Japan with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers. The midfielder has enjoyed coaching from Wayne Smith and Dave Rennie while with the Steelers and currently has the likes of Brodie Retallick and Ardie Savea in camp for the 2023-24 season.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow: Australia
A short-lived campaign from Kerr-Barlow expressing his interest in a Wallabies call-up when the laws changed ultimately found little traction, but Australia are on the cusp of a new era ahead of a home World Cup and what better way to prepare for that than with some World Cup winning experience in camp?
Kerr-Barlow came off the bench in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final in which the All Blacks handed the Wallabies the silver medal.
While Kerr-Barlow didn’t benefit from it, Eddie Jones’ selections for the Wallabies in 2023 appeared to say to hell with Rugby Australia’s eligibility laws, as the recently unveiled Japan coach invited seven overseas-based players into camp.
TKB’s La Rochelle teammate, Will Skelton, would end up being named captain of the Wallabies in their World Cup campaign, and 2024 could see Rugby Australia make some decisive calls on how they are going to return to glory for the Lions tour in 2025.
While the 27-time All Black has found some career form over recent seasons in the Top 14, his presence in the Wallabies squad may be worthwhile as another mentor for young Tate McDermott, who promises to be the future of the No 9 jersey and a potential Wallabies captain.
Brad Shields: New Zealand
It took a while for the All Blacks to nail the blindside flanker position under Ian Foster, but all that hard work will remain in the past while Shannon Frizell is in Japan for two years.
Ethan Blackadder and youngster Samipeni Finau have a chance to make the jersey their own, but with the former’s injury-prone history and the latter’s lack of experience, there may be room for a veteran presence in the squad.
Shields made nine appearances for England in 2018 and ’19, making him eligible for international duties once more with New Zealand, should he earn a call-up in his return season with the Hurricanes.
Shields has the benefit of international experience but was just 26 when he set off for the promise of higher honours at Twickenham. Now 32, the flanker will put his body to the test in 2024.
Timoci Tavatavanawai: New Zealand
A former Fiji U20 representative, Tavatavanawai has proven to be one of Super Rugby Pacific’s most prolific runners and his move from Moana Pasifika to the Highlanders may well signal his intent to be considered for a black jersey.
Finishing the 2023 season with the second most tackle breaks behind the Blues’ Mark Tele’a, the 110kg winger was bruising throughout his debut seasons in Super Rugby.
While he previously made the Crusaders’ wider training squad, he is yet to find new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson’s favour. But, that could all change if the Highlanders are to employ him in a crash-and-bash gain line role that gets the best out of the 25-year-old.
With the departure of Leicester Fainga’anuku, there is room for a wrecking ball in the All Blacks squad, but can “Big Jim” prove he’s more than that?
Honourable mentions
– Peter Umaga-Jensen: Samoa
– Josh Ioane: Samoa
– Atu Moli: Tonga
– Nehe Milner-Skudder: Tonga
– Waisake Naholo: Fiji
Comments on RugbyPass
Now if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
4 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
4 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
4 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to comments