'I'm hoping, for Samoa's sake, that he puts his hand up': Lealiifano wanted by Samoan star
Former Wallabies first-five Christian Lealiifano has been called on by a Manu Samoa star to make himself available for the Pacific Island nation in test rugby.
A veteran of 26 tests for the Wallabies, Lealiifano’s test career ended three years ago after Australia were knocked out of the 2019 World Cup by England.
Since then, the 34-year-old hasn’t been called upon by Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie, who has instead opted for a first-five contingent of Quade Cooper, James O’Connor and Noah Lolesio since taking charge of Australia in 2020.
However, Lealiifano’s services may still be of use for Manu Samoa, who he will soon be free to play for following World Rugby’s change of eligibility laws.
As of January 1, test-capped players who have stood down from international rugby for three years have been eligible to play for a second nation if they, their parents or their grandparents were born in that country.
Of Samoan descent, Lealiifano – who was born in New Zealand – will become qualified to play for Samoa from October 19, exactly three years to the day after his final outing for the Wallabies.
That means he could play for his nation of heritage in the November test window, as well as at next year’s World Cup in France.
Lealiifano’s addition to the Samoan squad would provide Seilala Mapusua’s team with vast experience, leadership and playmaking quality.
All of those traits have been on show whenever Lealiifano has taken to the field for new Super Rugby Pacific franchise Moana Pasifika this season.
It’s for that reason that his teammate and Manu Samoa midfielder Henry Taefu is keen to see him, and his halves partner Ereatara Enari, switch eligibility under World Rugby’s new laws.
“Our team gets named soon, I don’t know who’s in it,” Taefu said when asked on Wednesday which of his uncapped Moana Pasifika teammates he would like to see picked for Manu Samoa.
“But I’d like to see guys like Ere Enari, hopefully he joins us. Christian, he’s been playing really well. He’s someone that we can have in our team and add that experience.
“There’s a lot of guys in our team who can definitely be there. Hopefully they get the chance and shine on the international stage.”
Taefu wouldn’t be draw on whether Lealiifano has expressed an interest in playing for Samoa at test level, but was hopeful that the experienced pivot will do so.
“Obviously he’s been out for a while, but I think he’s someone that’s very passionate about being Samoan and passionate about being Pasifika, so I’m hoping, for Samoa’s sake, that he puts his hand up,” Taefu said.
While Lealiifano won’t be eligible to play for Samoa at the recently-announced Pacific Nations Cup in July, his presence in the Samoan national squad at next year’s World Cup would be invaluable.
Grouped in Pool D alongside England, Japan, Argentina and either the USA or Chile, Samoa could prove to be a threatening outfit that will challenge for at least a third-place finish in their group.
That would assure them automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup, but the prospect of qualifying for their first World Cup quarter-final since 1991 is likely to secure the commitment of numerous high-profile, Samoan-eligible players.
Under World Rugby’s new eligibility laws, the likes of Julian Savea, Victor Vito, Lima Sopoaga, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Josh Ioane, Denny Solomona, Joe Tomane, Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Ma’a Nonu could all join Lealiifano in what would be a star-studded Samoa squad.
The presence of those players, and various others, has the potential to also attract uncapped players who may have targeted test rugby for countries like New Zealand and Australia, but may instead opt to throw their lot in with Samoa.
Players who would fit that bill include Hurricanes duo Du’Plessis Kirifi and Salesi Rayasi, as well as Blues utility back Stephen Perofeta, who has been tipped as a potential All Black in the absence of Damian McKenzie.
No confirmation has yet been made as to which former internationals will be picked by Samoa under World Rugby’s new laws, but Mapusua indicated last year that he keen on acquiring Ioane’s services in the wake of the rule change.
Taefu’s comments about Lealiifano as a possible Samoan international come as both he and Moana Pasifika boss Aaron Mauger tipped uncapped wing Timoci Tavatavanawai to star for Fiji after his standout Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Comments on RugbyPass
late hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
1 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 Crusades , you can keep going.
1 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
4 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
24 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
24 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
24 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
24 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
9 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
9 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
28 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
24 Go to comments