How did Malakai get on?

[Peej]

Does anyone know how Tonga and Malakai went at the 7s last weekend?

[Neils]

Tonga didn't do well and didn't get through but Malakai played enough to qualify for the 15s team.

[Peej]

Thanks, good for him!

[Rossm]

Tonga didn't do well and didn't get through but Malakai played enough to qualify for the 15s team.

Is Malakai the first to take advantage of this? If so, then I hope he is the first of many😁

[Neils]

Tonga didn't do well and didn't get through but Malakai played enough to qualify for the 15s team.

Is Malakai the first to take advantage of this? If so, then I hope he is the first of many😁

According to Malakai three of them qualified (for Tonga) last weekend by this means

[Shugs]

Would love to see the Pacific islands keep more of their own players. It would expand the number of top international sides by at least two which would be great for the game. Unfortunately finances at the moment, especially the way NZ go about things, means this is a long way off.

[MarleyWasp]

Tonga didn't do well and didn't get through but Malakai played enough to qualify for the 15s team.

Is Malakai the first to take advantage of this? If so, then I hope he is the first of many😁

In the last Olympic cycle Cooper Vuna switched from Australia to Tonga & Anton Rudoy switched from Kazakhstan to Russia via the Sevens route with both playing 15 a side internationals afterwards. Warwick Lahmert switched from NZ to England/GB via the Sevens route but didn't make the GB squad and returned to NZ soon after.

[Peej]

I think Tim Nanai-Williams did for Samoa too, having played 7s for NZ