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The Aussie giant who rejected an approach from the Wallabies to play for adopted France at the World Cup has been ruled out of the competition.
New Zealand born and Australian raised lock Emmanuel Meafou’s RWC bid has been rejected by World Rugby, who have ruled he will not become eiligible for France until the end of 2023.
The 145kg Toulouse lock was the subject of a France Rugby request for him to be available despite falling a few months short under the five-year residency rule.
Meafou was born in New Zealand to Samoan parents and signed for Top 14 side Toulouse in December 2018. France didn’t include him in their 42-man squad in preparation for the Rugby World Cup, but were hopeful they could add him later.
Meafou would have been touch and go for the tournament anyway, having suffered an injury during his club’s Top 14 final victory over La Rochelle last weekend. That is expected to sideline him for two months.
Meafou had already made his mind up to quliafy for France before he took a call from Eddie Jones this year.
“I had a good chat with Eddie,” Meafou said.
Emmanuel Meafou of Toulouse runs with the ball during the European Rugby Champions Cup match between Cardiff and Stade Toulousain at Cardiff Arms Park on December 11, 2021 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“I told him that I had made a commitment to France, this is home now. I’ve been here for almost five years, so I’m committed to France whether I play in the World Cup or not.
“All the best to Australia, I’ll always call Australia home because that’s where I grew up but for rugby and what I want to give back to France, I’d like to represent them on the big stage.”
Jones acknowledged he tried to keep the lock.
“”He’s decided he wants to play for France. I’ve had a bit of a discussion with him,” Jones said.
“I only want players who want to play for Australia.
“If he’s made a decision to play for France, which he has, then I wish him all the best and I hope he has a great career. Do I wish he selected Australia? Not really. I can’t control that. So, yeah, there’s not that much of a story there for you mate.”
Meafou was unable to convince any Super Rugby franchises to give him a contract and told the Sydney Morning Herald he felt let down by Australian rugby.
”I guess I was a bit torn … but I also felt really let down,” Meafou said. “I don’t know what was going on at the ARU and that’s not my business, and I am sure they had their reasons. It’s nothing personal.
“But I felt let down, and the other thing was it was only after I came here and started playing good that they contacted me. Then they started chats about me coming back. We had literally been in Australia and I was pretty much begging just for a full-time training deal, nothing special. Just to develop me. And we were asking for that and it didn’t happen.”
“I have come here and developed myself, and Toulouse gave me the chance to grow into the player I am now. It’s nothing personal.
“There are a lot of good Wallabies locks going around and, for me, I made my commitment to France and it’s nothing against Australia. I will always call Australia home, but French rugby gave me my opportunity and I wanted to give back.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.