The top rugby stars switched nations in the Rugby World Cup 2023Posted by Xchange Tickets on May 19th, 2023 A few of the players might play in France Rugby World Cup later this year for a second Test nation. The inaugural Rugby World Cup 2023 will take place following a modification in World Rugby's eligibility requirements in 2021. Rugby supporters can book France Rugby World Cup Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
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Due to a regulation change, test-capped players are now permitted to play for a second country for which they are qualified if they, their parents, or their grandparents were born there but only after three years have passed since their last test match.
While not exclusive to Tier Two countries, the move will undoubtedly benefit those where talented athletes have chosen to play for larger, wealthier nations. A similar regulation adjustment in rugby league led to Tonga reaching the Rugby World Cup semi-final and Rugby World Cup final in the last two RWCs, despite the Pacific Islands losing countless players over the years.
As a result, this year's France team is expected to include a handful of players who have represented another nation in Test rugby. Just a few of those are listed here. For more about Rugby World Cup Semi Finals Tickets
Vaea Fifita
The decisive move Before relocating to Tonga last year, the Scarlets star earned 11 caps for New Zealand between 2017 and 2019 before making the transition.Last November, he participated in games against Spain, Chile, and Uruguay and will undoubtedly play a significant role in Pool B later this year.
Israel Folau
The controversial Folau earned his Tonga debut last year versus Fiji, similar to Piutau. He hasn't received a second cap, though, and had to leave the game early due to injury.
However, Folau had already earned 73 caps for Australia between 2013 and 2019 before his second attempt at Test rugby. His time with the Wallabies was cut short when he was fired for making homophobic postings on social media.
George Moala
Moala, a centre for Clermont, earned four New Zealand caps while playing for the Auckland Blues in 2015 and 2016. In 2012, he made his Blues debut and quickly cemented his position as an important member of the defence. His exceptional Super Rugby efforts earned him a spot on the All Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby team.
He decided to transfer his country of international allegiance in 2017 and represent Tonga, his ancestry. Since then, he has consistently played for the national squad, representing them in competitions like the Rugby World Cup and the Pacific Nations Cup.
Malakai Fekitoa
Rugby World Cup champion Fekitoa, who won 25 caps for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2017, is most likely to play with Moala in the middle of the pitch in France this season. Before transferring to Europe, Fekitoa played for Toulon, Wasps and Munster.
After completing the required stand-down time, Fekitoa reaffirmed his allegiance to Tonga, his birthplace. Before playing Test XVs last year, he first represented them in an Olympics 7s qualifying in 2021.
Tau Koloamatangi
When Tonga attempted to cap the former New Zealand U20s prop against the All Blacks in 2021, there was some controversy around his eligibility. He had already been capped by Hong Kong, though, so the day before he had to be removed off the side.
With the new rules in place and Koloamatangi making his Tonga debut versus Spain last year, that is no longer a problem.
Augustine Pulu
In 2014, 33-year-old scrum-half Pulu earned two caps for New Zealand. He made his Tonga debut in the autumn of last year and currently plays for Hino Red Dolphins in Japan. Pulu was called up to the national team after turning up standout Super Rugby performances, and he made his All-Blacks debut in 2014.
Since then, he has played a crucial role on the national squad, taking part in competitions like the Rugby World Cup and the Pacific Nations Cup. He has also represented several teams outside of New Zealand, such as the Australian Super Rugby team New South Wales Waratahs and the Honda Heat of the Japanese Top League.
Steven Luatua
The former All-Black, who was a member of the U20 team that won the Junior World Championships in 2010 and 2011, earned 15 caps for New Zealand between 2013 and 2016.
Before that, he did, however, also play for Samoa at the age-grade level, and he will resume his Test career with them. Last year, after being selected for their autumn squad, Bristol Bears coach Pat Lam informed the team that he was injured and would not be available. But Samoa's first cap will undoubtedly arrive later this year.
Seta Tamanivalu
While playing for the Chiefs and Crusaders in Super Rugby, the centre earned a few All-Black caps, the last of which came in 2016 versus Australia. He joined the Fijian team last year, making his debut in the 36-0 victory over Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup. He is now 31 and plays for Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Henry Thomas
Nearly ten years ago, the recently recalled Wales tight-head earned seven caps for England. He earned his first two caps during the summer 2013 tour of Argentina, and the following year, he played against Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy, and New Zealand. He no longer plays for England, but his father still qualifies him for Wales.
Jack Dempsey
Between 2017 and 2019, the former Waratahs back-row earned 14 caps for Australia. He made his final outing during the pool stages of the most recent Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Four years later, he will be returning to the championship match while representing a different country after relocating to Scotland, where he has already earned nine caps. He is one of the 42 players in Gregor Townsend's training squad and, given his Glasgow form, will be in a good position to make the final decision.
Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen
Tight-head prop Toomaga-Allen started his rugby career with the Wellington Lions in the Mitre 10 Cup, New Zealand's national provincial championship. He made his Super Rugby debut with the Hurricanes in 2012, and in 2013 he got his first call-up to the All Blacks, the New Zealand national team.
He has acquired experience at the top level of the game and more Super Rugby caps throughout the years. He departed New Zealand rugby in 2019 and joined the English team Wasps, giving him the chance to hone his skills in a new setting and play in the English Premiership.
Byron McGuigan
Originally from Namibia, winger McGuigan earned 10 caps for Scotland between 2017 and 2020. He plans to retire from playing this year and then join Sale Sharks as an assistant coach. He has, however, also stated that he intends to play for his native nation, thus he may end his playing days at the France Rugby World Cup in 2023.
In South Africa, where he played for the Sharks in the Currie Cup and the Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup, McGuigan started his rugby career. After that, he relocated to the UK, where in 2013 he joined the Glasgow Warriors.
He joined the Sale Sharks in 2017, following a great stint with the Warriors, and made a name for himself right away. He kept on representing Scotland in international competitions, obtaining multiple caps for the team. To become RWC 2023 eye witness you can buy South Africa Vs Scotland Tickets from our online platform.
Chuck Piutau
The full-back, who is headed to Japan, was previously England's highest-paid athlete before relocating to Europe after failing to make New Zealand Rugby World Cup squad in 2015.
The 31-year-old won 17 caps for the All Blacks but has now pledged his allegiance to Tonga. He has only played once so far, versus Fiji last year. He hopes to play in his maiden Rugby World Cup 2023 match later this year.
Paolo Odogwu
Odogwu is a Stade Francais back who is known for his speed, agility, and powerful running. He began his rugby journey at a young age and played for various local clubs. In 2015, he made his debut for the Leicester Tigers' senior team in an Anglo-Welsh Cup match against Northampton Saints.
He then moved to the Sale Sharks in 2017, where he quickly became an integral part of the team's attacking prowess. In 2020-2021, he had a stellar campaign in the Gallagher Premiership and earned his call-up to the England national team. He made his international debut in the Six Nations tournament against Italy, scoring a try in his first appearance.
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