'It's an easy fix. Very easy': Plea to World Rugby to sort Folau Fakatava's All Black eligibility
The extension of World Rugby's residency qualification rule next year from three to five years has thrown a spanner in the works for those on the verge of debuting for their new countries.
Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava is one of those players for New Zealand, who would've likely debuted for the All Blacks in 2021 had he not suffered a season-ending injury. As an uncapped player, Fakatava is now subject to the five year residency rule which would delay his potential capping until 2023.
New Zealand's Players' Assocation CEO Rob Nichol is calling on World Rugby to preserve the eligibility of those who had already served the necessary three years, provided their residency status does not change.
“It's not just about Folau, it’s an anomaly that's been created through the way the regulation has been altered,” Nichol said in an interview with Stuff.co.nz.
“It’s been highlighted, and it’s now up to World Rugby if they choose to fix it.
“It's an easy fix. Very easy. It's literally just to say that once you have qualified, based on your residency, you maintain that qualification so long as you remain resident.”
The extension of the residency rule was supposed to strengthen the integrity of the international game but the new rules regarding eligibility switching seemingly contradicts the approach taken to the residency qualification rule.
Players can now switch nation eligibility after completing a stand down period, as long as they have a birthright connection to that second nation, which means going forward players can represent multiple countries throughout their international careers.
Should World Rugby fail to amend the residency rule, Fakatava won't be able to represent the All Blacks until 2023 but he still remains eligible for Tonga, his nation of birth where he grew up until moving at age 16 to New Zealand.
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While the All Blacks look a much better side than the one that went down at home to Argentina, the success of the tour cannot be judged on two games. England ara mediocre side which lost to a side which got thumped by more than 30 points four times in the rugby championship. The value of the Irish win is much bigger but it will be put in perspective by the Ireland Argentine game this weekend. Ireland are nowhere near the team that won 17 tests in a row having only scraped a five out of nine wins in including wins over Italy and Wales starting with the WC QF. Scotland are a way better team than England as their comprehensive win last time out showed. The game against France is vital for the AB's to judge their progression.
Go to commentsAustralia improved from the R.C and are spreading that ball around like Rama on toast. How's the weather loooking for Saturday? If its Kak and it likely will be how do you not see a close game knowing Englands style.
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