There’s a good chance Australia could send a rugby union team to play a Pacific test in the future, Australian rugby union boss Bill Pulver says.
However, a match could be a couple years away because World Rugby plans its schedule years in advance.
“It’s definitely on the cards,” Pulver told AAP in Sydney.
The All Blacks played an historic clash with Manu Samoa in Apia on Wednesday.
The Australian Rugby Union chief executive joined NSW Waratahs Sam Lousi, who has Maori heritage and Tolu Latu who is of Tongan descent at a meeting with Pacific foreign ministers in Sydney on Friday.
He praised the islander talent that had wowed Australian sports fans over the years.
In 2015, 36 per cent of Australian Super Rugby players heralded from the Pacific islands, he said.
Mr Pulver maintained World Rugby was doing enough to help nations like Tonga, Fiji and Samoa retain their best players for national duty and stop them from joining the likes of Australia and New Zealand.
He pointed to the arrangements in place for Olympic teams which allow Pacific players to switch back to their home countries.
But Mr Pulver acknowledged one challenge was that Pacific players could attract better pay in Australia and New Zealand.
BluesMan
Guest
He had a season ending injury.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Regardless of which idea, it will all come down to dollars. Surely there must be a way to tour and save a few bucks. Or would the players union object?
James
Guest
Sam I understand the eligibility rules as you have written. However should Sam Lousi ever represent a NZ national team the "poaching players" issue arises when it is actually the player that is making the choice and he is representing his country of birth.
Sam
Guest
That's technically true (don't start me on that referendum they should have voted yes!)... I don't know how eligibility for the devolved home nations works. It must be either by Birth or descent. Sean Maitland qualifies through his paternal grandparents. (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/maitland-the-survivor-of-christchurch-horror-8468473.html) .
James
Guest
The mainstream media has always been biased and misguiding. They report the way about any person not just rugby players.
Sam
Guest
Ya think I don't know that? ;-)
Ra
Guest
Supposed to be bitsa but bitSam is still good .. Lol
Ra
Guest
You're a bl$&@y bits Sam... Lol !
Ra
Guest
No he's not Maori, but he is a big sucker. I don't know what's happened to Big Sammy since he signed over to Union. He would make an excellent 6 I would have thought. Can someone update me please ?
Bakkies
Guest
No such thing as Scottish citizenship. They are still part of the UK. A lot of countries also don't allow dual citizenship.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
ARU ther will be no next year .
Die hard
Roar Rookie
No true in NZ's case, who are allowed two foreign players per team. By the way it is NZR, not NZRU.
AussieinNZ
Guest
Truth is that PI players are told they have to make themselves eligible for NZ Aus to get super rugby contracts. If the NZRU ARU allowed them exemptions from foreign player quotas as they do in Europe then they could play for their own countries and make a living. NZRU ARU have no interest in doing this. Its getting like school boy rugby over in NZ now- a competition of who can get the most PIs on the park.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
“It’s definitely on the cards” - what a crock! When Bill? I declare this disingenuous at best. There would be at best a mention in passing before the reality sets in that the Wallabies are already the most overplayed international team already to prop up what is left of the game here. How is the ARU doing enough to help nations like Tonga, Fiji and Samoa retain their best players? The thinly veiled development spots perhaps? Now we see Taqele Naiyaravoro drafted into the Wallabies opportunistically when it is known he will be totally unavailable for the next three years playing in Europe. He is here on a sporting visa via NZ. This somewhat contradicts Pulvers world view of assistance. The national duty he envisions is to joining the likes of Australia. He shouldn't really speak for New Zealand.
Old Bugger
Guest
Hear, hear to the ARU....
BluesMan
Guest
Yea you're right, just pointing out he's not Maori.
BluesMan
Guest
Too true.
NaBUru38
Guest
I think that players should play for the country where they have their heart. Which typically is where they lived from ages 9-18.
ben
Guest
John...you stole my thunder. Interesting isnt it. If a polynesian maori etc commits a crime..their ethnicity is published. Should a pakeha/palagi/euro commit a crime..their ethnicity is never reffered to.
Ian
Guest
I welcome a more even competition, but do you not see the slippery slope we are leading towards. I'd rather my national lose than have mercenaries in it's ranks. Kerevi hasn't played for the Wallabies yet, so if can still play for Fiji if that is what he wants to do so. IMO, it should be a choice of does he feel more Australian or Fiji, this is not a easy decision for some, but a decision nonetheless. Look at players like Nadolo and Alesana Tuilagi, who are quality players and could have made it in a lot of top tier national teams, but are proudly playing for Fiji and Samoa and doing well for themselves as professionals. JP Nell and Josh Strauss are going to be playing for Scotland soon due to a 3 year residency rule, why can't apply for dual South African/Scottish citizenship? This would make them Scottish, not just South Africans with a visa to work in Scotland. I know if I was a Scottish rugby fan this would make me happier with their inclusion. This is representative sport not a club competition, winning is not everything.