Tonga coach has warning for All Blacks

Tonga coach Toutai Kefu says the eligibility plans for the new Moana Pasifika Super Rugby franchise are encouraging but has warned the All Blacks that outstanding young Tongan players who then get ‘‘exposure’’ at Super Rugby level with the new side should be considered off limits.

’’Most definitely,’’ Kefu told Stuff yesterday. ‘‘We’ve had a lot of young Tongan players over the years who’ve gone on to play for New Zealand, especially.

’’There’s [Malakai] Fekitoa, [Shannon] Frizell, Vaea Fifita. That scenario would give those players extra exposure.

‘‘That’s a scenario where we would have to protect ourselves. We would have to throw those rules under the microscope and investigate those details.’’

Kefu’s concerns also stem from the fact that, in rugby’s grey eligibility laws, Tongan under-20 players are not automatically ‘captured’ for the senior Tonga test team.

With the Moana Pasifika franchise set to tap into the Tongan and Samoan high-performance programmes – including their under-20 programmes – a young player currently based in the Pacific Islands could develop in Super Rugby and catch the attention of the All Blacks.

Moana Pasifika general manager Kevin Senio revealed on Monday that 80 per cent of the franchise’s players would either be existing Samoan, Tongan or

Fijian test players – or on that pathway – leaving about eight players in a squad of 38 who could be used off by other nations.

Still, Kefu was broadly welcoming of the Moana Pasifika concept, describing it as step forward for Pasifika rugby.

‘‘It’s a good start for us Pacific Islanders, and the Pacific nations,’’ Kefu said. ‘‘It’s another vehicle where we can expose talent.

‘‘The only concern I have is, ‘Who is in control of Moana Pasifika?’ If it’s indirectly controlled by New Zealand Rugby, there would be some concerns.

‘‘But from what I’m hearing and seeing this concept might be able to keep a lot of my players closer to home, which is fantastic ... closer to home, in a good programme, and playing good competitive football.’’