Almost four years after representing the Wallabies at the 2019 World Cup, Christian Leali’ifano looks set to appear in his second straight tournament later this year.
But it won’t be with Eddie Jones’ Wallabies, but Samoa.
The 35-year-old, who was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2016 and missed almost a year of action on the field, revealed he is set to gain approval to play for Samoa at the World Cup after World Rugby changed its eligibility laws on January 1, 2022.
“I think I’m close. I think we’re just waiting on the form or the documents. I’m not too sure but I think it’s been signed off,” Leali’ifano told reporters following Moana Pasifika’s upset win over the Waratahs on Saturday.
“You’ve still got to get picked but to have the opportunity or to be available is nice. To try to get in there will be good.
“I think it’s looking pretty positive and we’ll just wait and see.”
Christian Leali’ifano wound back the clock for Moana Pasifika against the Waratahs to stake his Samoan claims ahead of the World Cup. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Leali’ifano rewound the clock on Saturday night, as he put on a masterclass against his great rivals.
Years after pulling the strings for the Brumbies, Leali’ifano’s well-taken try midway through the second half at Allianz Stadium put the cherry on top of their drought-breaking win.
The playmaker, who pulled on the gold jersey, showed more than enough pace as he sliced through the Waratahs’ defence to score untouched.
“What about the life in the old dog,” Morgan Turinui said in commentary for Stan.
“Don’t worry about him. The speed’s in his brain, ball in two hands waving the wand.”
His starring role in Moana Pasifika’s final match of the season also gave Leali’ifano the confidence he wouldn’t just be making up the numbers by putting his hand up for selection.
“As a whole, I think it will be really, really special just to be able to represent my family and my blood,” he said.
“Then I guess footy wise hopefully it will be a bit of an experience and some quality footy. I don’t want to just be a token selection because I’m available.
“I want to be playing some high quality footy because it’s not an easy tournament, a World Cup and all those kind of things.
“So hopefully I could provide a bit of that, a bit of leadership and a bit of experience.”
Christian Leali’ifano with his former Wallabies teammate Rob Simmons at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on October 11, 2019 in Fukuroi, Shizuoka. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Having made his debut for the Wallabies against the Lions in 2013, World Cup selection would also bookend a phenomenal career that has seen one of rugby’s most respected figures ride the highs and lows of life.
Asked whether he could have imagined the possibility of putting on the blue Samoan jersey at a World Cup, Leali’ifano acknowledged it wouldn’t have entered his wildest dreams.
“Absolutely. Every day is a blessing so I’m just so thankful to be still running around. Ten years ago you could never think, because you were playing for the Wallabies and all that and you were aspiring to play there, and to have these laws and eligibility opportunities is pretty cool,” he said.
“And I guess it’s exciting for the next generation coming through too, that they can aspire to not only play for tier-one nations but tier-two as well and you can sort of jump over if you like.”
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
Very true,Dusty.He wound back the clock to his best days with the Brumbies. Like you,I also thought Jack D showed Noah a thing or two about how a 10 should play.
Ball Handling 101
Roar Rookie
" was the form 10 in Australia by some margin from 2013 through 2019 (excluding his time out due to illness)" Not true. Played 12 for the majority of his career early on outside Toomua until moving to 10 later. Around this time the Waratahs were the form team in Australia and Foley was the form 10. Later in that 2010s decade and closer to the 2019 World Cup was when CLL started to become the form 10 and rightfully played 10 for Australia
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Yeah it is a game changer. They will bring a lot of experience to those Island nations. The Kerr-Barlow situation is a quirk of the rule but to be honest I am all for it, if he does play. Ainsley could make the All Black squad this year with his form.
Coker
Roar Rookie
You'd have to say he'd be a very good chance of starting for the Drua, Highlanders and Waratahs, given the 10s they have available.
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
I love that WR has changes these eligibility rules and we get to see some top players in action for their heritage nations. That Tawera Kerr-Barlow has talked about representing the Wallabies might mean we’re a Tier 2 national team already :laughing:
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I’d be interested in hearing too…
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Absolutely agree. He's not Australia's number one anymore, which I guess is why he's hoping to play for Samoa at the WC. Hope he gets the chance, it would be great to see him competing at test level again, even if it is in a blue jumper.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Would be awesome if he got to play for Manu Samoa in this World Cup. High quality leader that would bring some great experience to the Samoan Squad. I have a feeling Lima Sopaga is available as well, so they would have two solid options at 10.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
How is Sopoaga travelling, do you know?
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Not doubting he played well. But there are times when you need to be honest. Is he Australia’s number 1? Probably not. Don’t select someone to sit on the bench when they could have a sizable impact elsewhere.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
He had a great game against the Watatahs, Crusher, in all facets. He kicked well, his passing game was flawless, and he ran the ball when there was an opportunity. He actually controlled the game, moving his players around and thinking ahead. My worry about Noah has always been that he just plays to a formula and can't adapt during games. He plays the coach's instructions to the letter and just doesn't grab the team and say "this way". Jack D did for the Brums against the Rebels, and Christian did for Moana. Carter G does regularly for the Rebels, but he's let down by his very ordinary outside backs...
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Is he playing well enough to be selected? I’d guess he would need to be playing better than QC, CG, NL, JD, BF. Great player, that was under utilized by Cheika, was the form 10 in Australia by some margin from 2013 through 2019 (excluding his time out due to illness). But hardly played. I doubt he would start for any SR team now except Moana.
terrence
Roar Rookie
There are a few candidates for the samoa 10 jersey in Paris.. lealiifano (moana), leuila (moana), iona (nola), alatimu (seawolves) and possibly lima sopoaga (lyon)..
Don M
Roar Rookie
Eddie might be able to intercept the mail.