All Black stars want to return to Tonga in time for World Cup
ALL BLACKS Charles Piutau and Frank Halai want to switch their allegiance to Tonga — and face England at the World Cup.
The Pacific Islanders want World Rugby to loosen the eligibility rules to allow capped players to return to tier-two nations.
An identical policy has been introduced in rugby league and the Mail on Sunday understands Ma’a Nonu and Victor Vito could also make themselves available for Samoa under the proposals.
‘If there’s a way to do it, I want to give something back and play for Tonga at the 2019 World Cup,’ Piutau told the Mail on Sunday. Tonga are in the same pool as England for the World Cup.
‘I have told the Tongan coach I would be on board if there’s a way to do it,’ Piutau continued.
‘If our sport followed the rugby league model, it would be a massive boost for the Pacific Islands and it would make the world stage competitive again.
‘There’s a lot of wasted talent. The rugby league boys put Tonga back on the map and union should do the same thing.’
Piutau, 26, will become the highest paid rugby union player in the world when he joins Bristol next season for £1million per year.
His former team- mate Halai said he would follow suit.
‘Tier-two countries need a boost,’ Halai said. ‘ I would switch to Tonga if I had the chance.’
No Pacific Island team have reached a World Cup final and a policy change could result in a significant shift of power. It would make eligible a host of Europebased Polynesians, i ncluding former junior All Black Nick Williams.
‘I would love to go back and play f or my motherland, Samoa,’ Williams told the Mail on Sunday. ‘There are a couple of hundred Polynesians who would jump at the chance.
‘ I played for the junior All Blacks over a decade ago and that’s tied me down. I would love the rules to change.
‘ Do people want a two- horse race between England and the All Blacks or do they want to see five or six teams competing? The big dogs need some competition.’
Vito, the 33-cap All Black with Samoan ancestry, added: ‘I made my bed with the All Blacks so I wouldn’t want to take away the opportunity or development of a player who deserves it more, but I would love to play for Samoa.’
Samoa are yet to qualify for the World Cup and are on the brink of bankruptcy. Former All Black Sam Tuitupou believes the change could rescue the nation from financial strife.
‘ Samoa have been declared bankrupt so if Ma’a Nonu or Steven Luatua came on board, that would attract a bit of sponsorship,’ said Tuitupou. ‘If we don’t have guys like Steven and Charles Piutau competing at the World Cup, then we can’t say it’s a showcase of the world’s best talent.’
Wycliff Palu, the 35-year-old, 58-cap Wallaby No 8, added: ‘If I was a couple of years younger, I’d definitely have put my hand up. It would be good for rugby.’