There is still plenty of high-stakes rugby to be played, even though the Tonga RWC 2023 squad plan is still five months away. One may be excused for peeking behind the scenes to see what the competition may have in store. Rugby World Cup 2023 fans can buy Ireland Vs Tonga Tickets from our website.
Players switching national teams is one such tale that will be intriguing to follow, especially since Rugby World Cup 2019 marks the first one since the 2021 World Rugby eligibility rule change. Tonga Rugby World Cup 2023 Players with test caps can now represent a second nation thanks to the regulation adjustment.
They are eligible if they, their parents, or their ancestors were born there, but only after a three-year break from participating in test rugby. The regulation adjustment, primarily targeting players who have represented tier-one nations and are eligible for tier-two nations, could potentially have a significant impact on the Tonga Rugby World Cup scene globally.
The South Pacific island nation of Tonga, whose RWC 2023 squad is preparing to welcome a host of world-class talent to its World Cup roster, is one country that is ready to greatly benefit from this decision. Six exalted former All Blacks and one exalted but world-class Wallaby have joined their ranks during the last season.
Vaea Fifita – Scarlets
Fifita, an aggressive backrower, played 11 tests for the All Blacks between 2017 and 2019 and then transferred to the Welsh team Scarlets. The 30-year-old Tonga native Fifita made his international debut for Tonga RWC 2023 squad.
Charles Piutau – Bristol Bears
Piutau, who was formerly the highest-paid player in the sport, surprised the rugby community in 2015 when he left New Zealand Rugby to join the English Premiership team Wasps. He is now playing for Japan. Since then, he has played for the Premiership team the Bristol Bears as well as the Irish URC team Ulster.
Piutau, who is currently 31 years old, will begin playing in the top league in Japan the following year. He was another player who made his Tonga debut in 2022 and had 17 test caps at the time he left the All Blacks lineup.
Israel Folau – Urayasu D-Rocks
Folau, one of rugby’s most divisive players, is a multi-sport wonder who has achieved success in both Rugby League and Rugby Union as well as having a sting in Aussie Rules.
Following a series of homophobic social media statements that led to Rugby Australia terminating his contract in 2019, Folau temporarily played rugby league before switching back to the union. Folau is by far the most seasoned international on this list, having played for the Wallabies 73 times.
George Moala – Clermont
Four-time All-Black Moala, 32, has played for Clermont Auvergne in France’s Top 14 for the previous five seasons. A powerful center, Moala originally played for the Tongan U20 team before joining the All Blacks. His perspective center pairing with the player behind him on this list might turn out to be one of the greatest at the Rugby World Cup 2023 now that he is back in the red jersey.
Malakai Fekitoa – Munster
The All Blacks would have liked to have Fekitoa, a World Cup winner with New Zealand in 2015, in their starting lineup. Fekitoa, who departed New Zealand in 2017 to join the financially influential French Top 14 team Toulon, has participated in all three of Europe’s premier leagues. Prior to his time at Toulon, he played for Wasps in the Premiership and was part of Munster, the URC finalist. Rugby World Cup 2023 fans can buy Scotland Vs Tonga Tickets from our website.
Fekitoa, regarded as one of the top centers in the URC, has experienced a remarkable resurgence in the second half of the season. He initially had a challenging start with Munster and was released prematurely from his three-year contract he will play for the Italian URC team Benetton starting in the upcoming campaign, and as was said above, he and Moala will likely make a potent center duo in the Rugby World Cup.
Tau Koloamatangi – Moana Pasifika
Prop Koloamatangi, 28, has a compelling background having played for the New Zealand U20 team before going on to represent Hong Kong and Tonga RWC 2023 squad plans. Koloamatangi, who now plays for Super Rugby Pacific team Moana Pasifika, appears poised to lead the Tongan scrum against some of the top front rows in rugby, including those from Ireland, Scotland, and South Africa.
Augustine Pulu – Hino Red Dolphins
A force at scrumhalf, Pulu has two appearances for the All Blacks and had successful stints with the Chiefs and Blues in New Zealand Super Rugby. The Tonga RWC 2023 squad will benefit from Pulu’s experience as captain of the Blues in 2018 as they negotiate their brutally difficult World Cup pool.
At the Rugby World Cup 2023, the top rugby players transfer nations.
A few of the players may play in France later this year for a second Test nation. The inaugural World Cup will take place this year after a modification in World Rugby’s eligibility requirements in 2021.
Due to a recent regulation change, players who have earned test caps are now allowed to represent a second country they are eligible for, under certain conditions. 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 assist those where talented athletes have chosen to play for larger, wealthier nations. A similar regulation adjustment in rugby league led to Tonga reaching the semi-final and final in the previous two World Cups, despite the Pacific Islands losing many players over the years.
Several players who have previously represented another nation in Test rugby are anticipated to be featured in this year’s French team as a consequence. Here are just a few examples of such players:
Vaea Fifita
the decisive move Before relocating to Tonga RWC 2023 squad plans 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.
Charles Piutau
After failing to secure a spot in New Zealand’s World Cup team in 2015, the full-back, who was previously England’s highest-paid athlete, relocated to Europe and is now set to move to Japan. The 31-year-old former All-Black who earned 17 caps has sworn allegiance to Tonga. He has only played once so far, against Fiji last year. He will be looking to play in his maiden World Cup match later this year. Rugby World Cup fans can buy France Rugby World Cup Tickets from our website.
Israel Folau
The controversial Folau made his Tonga debut last year against 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. The Wallabies fired him when he made homophobic postings on social media, leading to his time with the team being cut short.
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.
George Moala
While playing for the Auckland Blues in 2015 and 2016, the Clermont center earned four New Zealand appearances, scoring three tries, including one against Wales in a lopsided 46-6 victory. Tonga RWC 2023 squad selected him to play, as he had previously represented the country at the age-grade level. He made his debut in the fall against Spain, much like Fifita.
Malakai Fekitoa
World Cup champion Fekitoa, who gained 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 loyalty to Tonga RWC 2023 squad plans, his birthplace.
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 against Spain last year, it is no longer a problem.
Augustine Pulu
The 33-year-old scrum-half was a member of the Chiefs’ Super Rugby-winning team in 2014 and earned two caps for New Zealand. He made his Tonga debut in the fall of last year and is currently playing in Japan with Hino Red Dolphins.
Seta Tamanivalu
While playing for the Chiefs and Crusaders in Rugby World Cup, the center earned a few All-Black caps, the latest of which came in 2016 against Australia. He joined the Fijian team last year, making his debut in the 36-0 victory against Tonga RWC 2023 squad in the Pacific Nations Cup. He is now 31 and plays for Toshiba Brave Lupus.
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 restart his Test career with them.
Last year, after the fall squad selected him, Pat Lam, the coach of Bristol Bears, received information from the team that he was injured and would not be available. But Samoa’s first cap will undoubtedly arrive later this year.
Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen
The tight-head prop only got to make one All Blacks appearance, debuting against Japan in 2013. Despite having a lot of strong Super Rugby form and the occasional spot in the team, he was never given another cap he was selected with Luatua for Samoa’s autumn squad last year; he made his debut against Italy. He is now playing for Ulster.
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 World Cup in Japan. Four years later, he will be returning to the championship match while representing a new 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.
Byron McGuigan
Between 2017 and 2020, the winger, who was born in Namibia, earned 10 caps for Scotland. He intends to end his playing career this year before joining Sale Sharks as a coach. He has, however, also stated his desire to represent his nation, which means he may end his playing days at the World Cup in France.
Paolo Odogwu
Eddie Jones, during his coaching tenure, summoned the former Wasps player to train but did not provide him with the opportunity to participate in a game. As a result, the Stade Francais is back. Who has recently been called up by Italy, has not been capped by England, and thus has not needed to fulfill the eligibility requirements to switch nationalities.
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