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The Pacific Islands 'Lost XV' - Rugby World Cup edition
For years the Pacific Islands have provided the world with some of the best rugby players, but a problem that the nations have faced is keeping hold of their players.
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For a number of reasons, the likes Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have seen players leave their shores and represent other countries.
With that in mind, this is the Rugby World Cup squad of Pacific Island players that have been lost to other countries:
1 ISILELI NAKAJIMA (TONGA)
The Tongan-born Kobelco Steelers prop Nakajima went to university in Japan, and eventually made his debut for the Brave Blossoms last year at the age of 29.
2 TOLU LATU (TONGA)
Born in Tonga, but grew up in Australia, the New South Wales Waratahs hooker has become the first choice under Michael Cheika this RWC.
3 TANIELA TUPOU (TONGA)
The ‘Tongan Thor’ was born in Tonga, grew up in New Zealand, but opted to represent Australia, where he displays his devastating power for the Queensland Reds.
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4 SÉBASTIEN VAHAAMAHINA (NEW CALEDONIA)
The French behemoth was born in New Caledonia, an overseas territory of the French Republic, but now plays for Clermont Auvergne and made his debut for France in 2012 as a 21-year-old.
5 UWE HELU (TONGA)
The Sunwolves lock Helu was born in Tonga, raised in New Zealand but went to university in Tokyo, where he eventually became a Japanese citizen in 2016. He was swiftly called up to the Japanese squad by Jamie Joseph that year.
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6 ISI NAISARANI (FIJI)
Born and raised in Fiji, the Melbourne Rebels no8 only became eligible to represent the Wallabies in April this year due to a visa-related issue after moving to Australia in 2014. Since then, he has become an integral part of Cheika’s back row over the Rugby Championship and RWC.
7 SHANNON FRIZELL (TONGA)
The All Blacks flanker grew up in Tonga and represented their under-20s in the Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2014. Soon after he moved to New Zealand to play for Tasman and eventually the Highlanders.
8 AMANAKI MAFI (TONGA)
Japan’s bruising no8 originally played for Tonga’s under-20 side, but relocated to Japan to attend Hanazono University almost ten years ago. He was picked up by Eddie Jones in 2014 and has since been one of the main stars of the Brave Blossoms side.
9 WILL GENIA (BORN IN PNG)
The 108-cap veteran grew up in Papua New Guinea, moving to Brisbane at the age of 12, and has since played for the Queensland Reds, Stade Francais, the Melbourne Rebels, the Barbarians, as well as the Wallabies in a glittering career.
10 CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO (*NZ)
We’ve had to cheat here. While not born on a Pacific Island, the Wallabies flyhalf was born in New Zealand of Samoan descent, but moved to Australia at the age of seven.
11 SEVU REECE (FIJI)
Born in Fiji but educated in Hamilton, New Zealand, there was much anticipation over who the 22-year-old would represent this year after a barnstorming season with the Crusaders. He opted for the All Blacks in July, and made the RWC squad in one of the most competitive positions.
12 MANU TUILAGI (SAMOA)
Part of a legendary dynasty where five of his brothers all played for Samoa, Manu moved to England at the age of 12, as three of his brothers were playing for Leicester Tigers at the time. He has lived in England since then, also becoming a British citizen.
13 TEVITA KURIDRANI (FIJI)
The Wallabies centre was born in Fiji, and is the cousin of recently retired Nemani Nadolo, but moved to Australia as a teenager, where he has gone on to play over 60 games in gold.
14 ALIVERETI RAKA (FIJI)
Having joined Clermont Auvergne’s academy in 2014, the 24-year-old Fijian-born winger qualified for France last December and only made his debut in the RWC warm-ups. But he has already shown a glimpse this tournament of what he will bring to Les Bleus over the coming years.
15 MARIKA KOROIBETE (FIJI)
Although not strictly a fullback, the Melbourne Rebels winger was born in Fiji and represented the island in rugby league. He was scouted as a teenager by the NRL and moved to Australia, where he has since switched codes and been part of the Wallabies for two years.
England’s group decider against France on Saturday has been cancelled due to the approach of Super Typhoon Hagibis in one of the most extraordinary days in 32 years of World Cup history. Statement with World Cup tournament director Alan Gilpin.
Comments on RugbyPass
🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
27 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
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
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
27 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
27 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.
27 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.
27 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?
11 Go to comments