Ma’a Nonu & Victor Vito Could Be About To Switch Allegiance & Play At 2019 RWC

Serious reinforcements.

Former All Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Victor Vito could be wearing the blue of Manu Samoa at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

After the success of Tonga and Fiji at the recent Rugby League World Cup, there have been calls for World Rugby to loosen eligibility rules, allowing capped players to return for tier-two nations.

The Daily Mail reports that Nonu and former All Blacks teammate Victor Vito have signalled interest in playing for Samoa under the proposed changes.

The two World Cup winners join the likes of Charles Piutau, Frank Halai and former Wallaby Anthony Fainga’a who have all declared an interest in togging out for Tonga in 2019.

Piutau has told the Daily Mail that administrators need to match the laws used by their rugby league counterparts.

“If there’s a way to do it, I want to give something back and play for Tonga at the 2019 World Cup,” Piutau said.

“There’s a lot of wasted talent. The rugby league boys put Tonga back on the map and union should do the same thing.

“I have told the Tongan coach I would be on board, if there’s a way to do it,”

“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.

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