Good news for the PIs

[Heathen]

https://www.world.rugby/news/672653/world-rugby-approves-birth-right-framework-for-players-to-transfer-unions

[Rossm]

Bobby Bridge comments:

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/world-rugby-ammendment-change-rule-22263461

[hookender]

Could also benefit tier one players who are only picked or ‘captured’ for one or two tests, then discarded but have foreign ancestry.

Is residency eligibility to remain?

[Rossm]

Could also benefit tier one players who are only picked or ‘captured’ for one or two tests, then discarded but have foreign ancestry.

Is residency eligibility to remain?

At a rough guess I'd say no.

From 1 January, 2022, in order to transfer from one union to another under the revised Regulation 8 (eligibility), a player will need to achieve the below criteria:

The player must stand-down from international rugby for 36 months
The player must either be born in the country to which they wish to transfer or have a parent or grandparent born in that country
Under the revised Regulation 8 criteria, a player may only change union once and each case will be subject to approval by the World Rugby Regulations Committee to preserve integrity
After 1 January, 2022, any player who meets the above criteria can apply immediately for a transfer.

The Regulation 8 revisions will also align the “age of majority” across 15s and sevens. All players will now be ‘captured’ at 18 years of age to simplify the Regulation and improve union understanding and compliance.

[MarleyWasp]

Not just the Pacific Islands. Morgan Parra could play for Portugal by the end of February. Parrese will be eligible for Argentina in November. George Kruis could play for the Netherlands.

[Rossm]

FYI.

Sorry, this has come out a bit small. Perhaps someone could enlarge it. Thanks.

[andermt]

Could also benefit tier one players who are only picked or ‘captured’ for one or two tests, then discarded but have foreign ancestry.

Is residency eligibility to remain?

At a rough guess I'd say no.

From 1 January, 2022, in order to transfer from one union to another under the revised Regulation 8 (eligibility), a player will need to achieve the below criteria:

The player must stand-down from international rugby for 36 months
The player must either be born in the country to which they wish to transfer or have a parent or grandparent born in that country
Under the revised Regulation 8 criteria, a player may only change union once and each case will be subject to approval by the World Rugby Regulations Committee to preserve integrity
After 1 January, 2022, any player who meets the above criteria can apply immediately for a transfer.

The Regulation 8 revisions will also align the “age of majority” across 15s and sevens. All players will now be ‘captured’ at 18 years of age to simplify the Regulation and improve union understanding and compliance.

Actually it does still remain, but as previously announced it changes from 3 years to 5 years of consecutive residence as of the 31st Dec, so it makes it a lot harder to live somewhere and become an international player. There is also a 10 year non-consecutive rule.

The other rule that has changed is the minimum age for 'capturing'. It has been 18 for 15's and RWC & Olympic 7's, but international 7's was 20. It's now 18 for everything.

[DGP Wasp]

The new 5 year residency rule will apply only if a player has not already represented another country as I understand it. 

This could significantly change European clubs' recruitment strategies.  Previously if you brought in an AB or SA international who had dropped off the international radar at a fairly young age then you could expect a high quality player with a good few years ahead of them who would be available all year round with no prospect of an international recall.  In the case of NZ, they made themselves unavailable simply by moving abroad in the first place.  Fekitoa as we know has already made himself available for Tonga.  Fifita will now be eligible to play for Tonga in July next year.   Not sure if JTA has any PI heritage as he would be available immediately.

[hookender]

A possible Tongan side in the near future

Potential Tonga XV (* denotes players eligible through new policy)

15 Charles Piutau*, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki*, 11 Israel Folau*, 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Sonatane Takalua; 1 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Paul Ngauamo, 3 Sekope Kefu*, 4 Vaea Fifita*, 5 Adam Coleman*, 6 Steve Mafi, 7 Lopeti Timani*, 8 Sione Vailanu.

[andermt]

The new 5 year residency rule will apply only if a player has not already represented another country as I understand it. 

This could significantly change European clubs' recruitment strategies.  Previously if you brought in an AB or SA international who had dropped off the international radar at a fairly young age then you could expect a high quality player with a good few years ahead of them who would be available all year round with no prospect of an international recall.  In the case of NZ, they made themselves unavailable simply by moving abroad in the first place.  Fekitoa as we know has already made himself available for Tonga.  Fifita will now be eligible to play for Tonga in July next year.   Not sure if JTA has any PI heritage as he would be available immediately.

Correct, the 5 year rule is basically the same as it is today, just 5 instead of 3 years.

JTA does have heritage and has already commented on the situation and stated he would like to be considered.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

A possible Tongan side in the near future

Potential Tonga XV (* denotes players eligible through new policy)

15 Charles Piutau*, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki*, 11 Israel Folau*, 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Sonatane Takalua; 1 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Paul Ngauamo, 3 Sekope Kefu*, 4 Vaea Fifita*, 5 Adam Coleman*, 6 Steve Mafi, 7 Lopeti Timani*, 8 Sione Vailanu.

That would be a hell of a team.

[Lwasp]

A possible Tongan side in the near future

Potential Tonga XV (* denotes players eligible through new policy)

15 Charles Piutau*, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki*, 11 Israel Folau*, 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Sonatane Takalua; 1 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Paul Ngauamo, 3 Sekope Kefu*, 4 Vaea Fifita*, 5 Adam Coleman*, 6 Steve Mafi, 7 Lopeti Timani*, 8 Sione Vailanu.

So is this really a step up for Pacific Island rugby? Or has it just blocked the pathway for young players to represent their home nations as older players who have played for someone else take all the spots? In that case younger players will be more likely to go away and play for someone else before hoping to return and represent their home nation at the other end of their careers.

Not certain this will happen, but wouldn't be the first rule change in Rugby's history to have unintended consequences.

[DGP Wasp]

A possible Tongan side in the near future

Potential Tonga XV (* denotes players eligible through new policy)

15 Charles Piutau*, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki*, 11 Israel Folau*, 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Sonatane Takalua; 1 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Paul Ngauamo, 3 Sekope Kefu*, 4 Vaea Fifita*, 5 Adam Coleman*, 6 Steve Mafi, 7 Lopeti Timani*, 8 Sione Vailanu.

So is this really a step up for Pacific Island rugby? Or has it just blocked the pathway for young players to represent their home nations as older players who have played for someone else take all the spots? In that case younger players will be more likely to go away and play for someone else before hoping to return and represent their home nation at the other end of their careers.

Not certain this will happen, but wouldn't be the first rule change in Rugby's history to have unintended consequences.

But currently, the best of those younger players go and play international rugby for someone else after a residency period.  The residency increase from 3 to 5 years will go some way to stopping the drain, and anyone wanting to return has to stand down from international rugby for a further 3 years, so it will certainly make them think.  If the PI teams become stronger as a result of this then the lure of the All Blacks (or anywhere else) will in turn become less attractive.  Time will tell if this rule change will succeed in its apparent aim to have a long term positive effect on PI rugby.  Hopefully it will.

[baldpaul101]

Given this has the over whelming support of Dan Leo & the PI Rugby players welfare organisation it has to be a good thing.

If you imagine a team like the one listed above playing in a world cup & beating so called "Tier 1" nations & getting to later stages it can only be good for both the game & PI rugby in general

[Mellie]

So if older PI players who've been capped by another country having played abroad become available for their heritage country it will surely strengthen that country's team and benefit all players.

Firstly the team get experienced proven players immediately to provide a more credible opposition to tier 1 nations. They may block the path of younger players initially but those youngsters will be sought out by foreign clubs offering, to them, much higher income but probably much less than the stars. This enables them to establish themselves and maybe get picked by the country they transfer to but still become available to replace the previous star players that want back to their heritage country.

Overall looks like PI rugby and players will benefit and even clubs.