Five players have switched countries ahead of the RWC 2023
A brief summer campaign is the final stage of the journey leading up to the RWC 2023, which is drawing near. The World Rugby criteria rules, which went into effect in January 2022, now permit members to serve a second country even if they have already done so. Rugby supporters can book Scotland Rugby World Cup Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
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Before they can compete for their new nation, the participants must first “resign immediately” from the global tournament for three years. The performers must also be of that country’s nationality, having either been born there or at least having a grandparent who is.
These are five athletes who have already taken advantage of the new rules by switching nationalities in time to compete for new nations at the France Rugby World Cup 2023.
Jack Dempsey – Australia to Scotland
Jack Dempsey, a backrower, played for Australia from 2017 to 2019 and was a member of their team for the Rugby World Cup 2019. As soon as the new eligibility rules went into effect, Dempsey decided to switch from representing Australia to representing Scotland after their Quarter Final loss to England. This was because of his grandfather’s Scottish ancestry.
Dempsey experienced a seven-year professional career club rugby with the North Harbour Rays provincial team and the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby. Before the 2021/22 United Rugby Championship run, the Number Eight signed with Glasgow Warriors and instantly drew the attention of Scotland Head Trainer Gregor Townsend.
2 & 3 Malakai Fekitoa & Charles Piutau – New Zealand to Tonga
The All Blacks had a deep team before the new eligibility restrictions went into effect at the start of 2022, but that depth started to disappear. Tonga is one such country that has seen its greatest performers depart to don the fabled black shirt. New Zealand has long embraced international performers from the Pacific Islands to enhance their numbers.
But things are starting to change in favour of the New Zealand-capped team members who have dropped out of the team. Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa, for example, had started to evade the All-Blacks’ notice as the duo was further driven to the periphery by New Zealand’s unbelievable depth in the squad. Both have vowed to play key roles for Tonga and will compete against the likes of South Africa and Ireland in Group B of the France Rugby World Cup 2023.
While residing in Munster, former Wasp’s centre Fekitoa is tearing up the United Rugby Championship with thrilling offensive efforts. The 30-year-old, who was raised on the Tongan island group of Ha’apai, became eligible for the All Blacks after relocating to Auckland for three years. According to a deal he has signed with Benetton Trevesio, Fekitoa will go to Italy following the Rugby World Cup.
Charles Piutau, a star for the Bristol Bears, representing Tonga at the 2010 Junior World Championships. His parents are both Tongans. Piutau, who has been illuminating the West Country since 2018, will depart Ashton Gate at the conclusion of the Premiership campaign. He was an important member of the 2020 Challenge Cup champion team, however, due to the Premier League salary ceiling reduction, Bristol was not able to hold on to Piutau since they had already announced the recruitment of England winger Max Malins.
Scotland Vs Tonga Rugby World Cup 2023
Scotland will confront Tonga in France Rugby World Cup in 2023. The match will take place on 24 September 2023. It will be held at Stade de Nice, Saint-Isidore.
Tonga gave them their best to win this Group B encounter, but Scotland will still think they have an opportunity. In their Rugby World Cup 1995 team Group D encounter, the Scots defeated ‘Ikale Tahi 41-5, so they too had precedence on their side. To become Rugby World Cup 2023 eye witness you can buy Scotland Vs Tonga Tickets from our online platform.
4. Steven Luatua – New Zealand to Samoa
Samoa, like Tonga, has benefited from the modifications to the eligibility laws and stands to gain significantly from them in the near future by potentially attracting a large number of former All Blacks players. United States hat The announcement by Steven Luatua that he will represent Samoa at the France Rugby World Cup 2023 is encouraging for the Pacific Island country.
The Bristol back-rower earned five honours for the Pacific Islanders in 2010 while playing for Samoa’s U20 team. After being discovered, Luatua was promptly invited up to the Junior All Blacks and went on to win the 2010 and 2011 Junior World Championships. When the All Blacks were called up for the 2013 Rugby Championship, Luatua quickly settled in with the Blues of Super Rugby. He made his All-Blacks appearance in a 47-29 victory against Australia.
Although exhibiting promising traits, Luatau was not chosen for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, in which the All Blacks successfully defended their title as Rugby World Cup winners. He had started to stray from Steve Hansen’s plans, but he still managed to play versus the 2017 British & Irish Lions, albeit for his club team, Auckland Blues.
After that, Luatua switched to Bristol Bears, where he joined Pat Lam. Luatua served as captain of the team that won the mentioned 2020 European Challenge Cup. Luatua plans to focus on the Rugby World Cup 2023 and developing Samoan test rugby. In Group D of the premier rugby tournament, he will compete against England, Argentina, Japan, and Chile.
5. Israel Falou – Australia to Tonga
At the France Rugby World Cup 2023, Israel Falou is expected to join Fekitoa and Piutau in the strengthened Tongan team. The versatile back began his career with the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos in Australia’s NRL, and he has represented both disciplines of rugby.
In 2013, Falou made his first transition to rugby union and teamed up with the New South Wales Waratahs. He was subsequently swiftly incorporated into the Wallabies team, where he earned 73 performances up till 2019. Rugby Australia cancelled his deal that year after Falou posted on social media with prejudice towards same-sex relationships.
Falou then returned to rugby league and signed the Catalans Dragons of Perpignan in the Super League. Falou remained with the Dragons across the Covid-19 epidemic, but it was revealed in 2021 that he would change codes again after agreeing to join the Tokyo club the Shining Arcs in the Japanese elite division. This would be his second code-switch.
After modifications to World Rugby’s rules rendered the 34-year-old qualified to represent the Pacific Island, he allowed his Tonga appearance versus Fiji in the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup. Falou’s debut, however, was not one he would cherish because he was taken off the pitch after 30 minutes of play due to a hamstring injury.
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