Fotuali’i: Change eligibility rules to aid Tier 2

SAMOA star Kahn Fotuali’i has urged World Rugby to ease their eligibility rules and allow players like Wasps’ new signing Lima Sopoaga to represent their country of origin.

Sopoaga has been capped 16 times by New Zealand but is unlikely to represent them again after agreeing to join Wasps later this year. However, the 26-yearold has intimated his potential availability for Samoa if the rules are amended to allow it.

Pacific island nations would benefit hugely from such an arrangement and Bath pivot Fotuali’i told

TRP: “Sign him up. We could do with someone like Lima in the Samoan side because there aren’t that many quality No.10s in our country.

“If he’s got the mindset to play for Samoa and New Zealand won’t pick him, it’s something World Rugby must seriously consider if it strengthens Tier Two teams.

“Kids end up playing for the All Blacks at a very young age and then find themselves discarded. It’s tough on them because if you’re given a chance to be an All Black you don’t turn it down, but then there are consequences.

“You end up at 25 or 26 not being able to play international rugby, so there needs to be more flexibility and if guys like Lima and Charles Piutau (Tonga) are allowed to return and play for their countries of origin, that will strengthen world rugby.”

Fotuali’i added: “If the World Cup is to grow as a competition and you’re going to have more competitive nations, it needs this change. I would love to play alongside Sopoaga and it would really enhance our chances of doing well.”

Fotuali’i, 35, missed Samoa’s three November Tests, but the veteran schemer has his eyes on a glorious swansong at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

He added: “I haven’t ended my international career. It obviously depends on the coaches and which younger players put their hands up for selection, but I have another year at Bath and it would be wonderful to end my career at the World Cup.”