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'I am reluctant to get too excited': Ex-Samoa international cautious over plan to let tier one players represent Pacific nations
Former Samoa lock Dan Leo has refrained from throwing wholehearted support behind World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont’s call to let players represent Pacific teams after having already played for other nations.
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Beaumont announced the suggestion when he released his re-election manifesto on Tuesday ahead of the World Rugby elections, where he is up against former Argentina captain Agustin Pichot for the organisation’s top spot.
The former England captain and British and Irish Lions representative called for a review of the current regulation which prevents players from representing more than one nation.
Such a move would allow a plethora of current and former All Blacks, Wallabies, England, Ireland, Wales and France stars to represent the likes of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga on the international stage.
Pacific Island nations have long been pushing for change as new eligibility laws would allow them to be far more competitive against tier one sides.
However, Leo – who played 42 times for Samoa between 2005 and 2014 and is now chief executive of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare – told The Times that although he backs Beaumont’s comments, he wouldn’t get carried away until the concept comes to fruition.
“To have a player like Charles Piutau coming back would have an immediate impact. Three or four of those sorts of players coming back changes the outlook of your whole team. And then, when they are back, it would attract sponsors too,” Leo said.
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“I totally support Bill in this, but I am reluctant to get too excited about a promised review; I’d be more excited if there was a promise of change. This regulation has been reviewed in the past and this is still where we are.”
The Times reported that Beaumont’s proposed review was intended as a thorough assessment of the current eligibility rules as opposed to just a relaxation of the laws.
In his current term as World Rugby chairman, Beaumont has introduced tougher eligibility restrictions after having increased the residency requirement from three to five years for players wanting to play for countries they weren’t born in.
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Should his new initiative come into play, the Pacific Island nations could be able to select a multitude of seasoned internationals from around the globe.
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Of those whose international careers have already come to a standstill, the likes of ex-All Blacks duo Waisake Naholo and Seta Tamanivalu could turn out for Fiji.
Those two could be joined by England representatives Nathan Hughes and Semesa Rokoduguni, Wallabies pair Henry Speight and Samu Kerevi and French duo Noa Nakaitaci and Virimi Vakatawa.
Samoa could also have a vastly improved squad through the additions of former All Blacks Jerome Kaino, Victor Vito, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Lima Sopoaga, Julian Savea and Ma’a Nonu.
Current England and Ireland midfielders Manu Tuilagi and Bundee Aki would also become available for selection, as would ex-Wallabies Will Skelton, Christian Lealiiafano, Joe Tomane and 2017 British and Irish Lions star Ben Te’o.
As for Tonga, the likes of former New Zealand stars Charles Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Frank Halai and Augustine Pulu could all feature alongside Welsh star Taulupe Faletau and powerhouse Japan loose forward Amanaki Mafi.
Australia could also provide a large contingent via former representatives Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu and current prop Taniela Tupou.
Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments