Fakatava cleared to play for ABs
Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava has been given the green light to be selected for the All Blacks in their series against Ireland in July, Stuff understands.
Tongan-born Fakatava had been in the curious position of being deemed ineligible for the All Blacks in 2022, despite having been eligible to play for them since late 2020 and throughout 2021, due to World Rugby shifting from a threeyear residential period for test eligibility to a five-year period.
That was deemed ‘‘an anomaly’’ by New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association chief executive Rob Nichol, but Stuff has been told that World Rugby approved New Zealand Rugby’s request to have Fakatava’s eligibility restored at recent meetings in Dublin.
Stuff has approached Fakatava’s agent for comment.
Fakatava moved to New Zealand when he was 16, although the eligibility clock only starts ticking when a player turns 18.
Under the three-year World Rugby rules, that initially made Fakatava eligible for the All Blacks in late 2020, while he also retained to the ability to play for Tonga.
Fakatava was in the All Blacks’ selection picture last year before an ACL injury ruined his season.
He returned to rugby at the start of 2022, and although he has taken time to find his best form, his recent displays have confirmed him to be a rare talent with a skillset that is unique among the halfbacks in New Zealand.
■ The Blues are set to head into the biggest match of their Super Rugby Pacific season against nearest pursuers the ACT Brumbies on Saturday night in Canberra without two of their chief All Black strike weapons.
Stuff understands both of the Ioane brothers are set to miss Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash in which the Blues can seal No 1 spot with a victory.
Star centre Rieko Ioane tweaked a hamstring early in Saturday night’s 53-26 victory over the Queensland Reds.
Older brother Akira, who is three games into a return from a serious ankle injury picked up ahead of the opening match, will also be rested after experiencing some pain in the affected foot following the Reds clash.