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Former All Black tips Hoskins Sotutu for international switch after latest snub
Akira Ioane has added his name to the list of rugby luminaries tipping Blues No8 Hoskins Sotutu for a sensational international switch.
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Sotutu, 26, won the last of his 14 caps for the All Blacks in the 25-25 draw against England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in November 2022.
And despite being a pivotal member of the Blues side that won this year’s Super Rugby Pacific title, finishing as the season’s joint-top try-scorer, he continues to find himself in the Test wilderness.
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Sotutu’s name was again absent from the New Zealand squad selected by Scott Robertson for the Northern Tour on Monday, and he is expected to miss out on a place with the All Blacks XV too.
If there is no recall in the next 13 months, then Sotutu could potentially make use of the World Rugby birthright transfer process to represent one of the two nations he also qualifies for through his family lineage.
Sotutu would qualify for Fiji through his father and England through his mother, and it has previously been reported that Eddie Jones pursued the No8 before he was first capped by New Zealand under Ian Foster.
Former Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui made the case for the Flying Fijians earlier this year, but Ioane has playfully linked his club-mate with England once again.
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In an Instagram Story posted after the New Zealand squad was announced, Ioane – a former All Black himself – shared a mocked-up image of Sotutu standing in front of London’s Houses of Parliament in an England kit with head coach Steve Borthwick watching on.
A comment accompanying the image, and tagging Sotutu, stated: “Wasn’t meant to be but all things happen for a reason”.
Sotutu would need to sign for an English club if he is to make himself eligible for an England call-up and he currently has a contract with the Blues and Counties Manukau that runs until the end of 2026, making any switch of allegiance unlikely in the short term.
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However, given he only turned 26 in July, Sotutu would have no shortage of suitors should he decide to look at international options beyond New Zealand at the start of 2026.
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Well, could be great for England…awesome!
I just hope he isnt released from his contract. What he does after that is 100% up to him and he can play in NZ and qualify for Fiji so thats an option if still not getting ABs selection before his contract expires
Calling Akira a rugby luminaire is a huge stretch
There must be an issue why the selectors chose to overlook Hoskin and the one person who can override their decision making with absolute authority is Jason Ryan.
It's been my firm belief since JR has been the forwards coach and the improvements he made during Fosters tenure, if he wanted that particular player he'd get them.
Oh really u just made that up or u actually know ..it's my belief u made it up
It's his off the ball work rate
Razor only had room for two 8s in the squad and he picked Sititi to back up Ardie.
Since then, Sititi's form in test rugby and Sotutu's in the NPC has proven him right. Hoskins has never impressed in the black jersey and to be honest England have Earl and Willis so they don't need him either.
Sotutu took his play to another level this year and Sititi along with the rest of the Chiefs forwards got dominated in the SR final.
It took Frizell 6 years to produce a motm performance for the AB's and he was a real mixed bag for most of his career. It's folly to write off Sotutu at 26 when he hasn't played for the AB's in 3 years.
Sititi has looked great against the Wallabies but our loose forwards got dominated in the collisions when he played against SA.
Although we cant keep them all, I would be more reconciled with loosing Sotutu if we had better selections in our selected loose forwards. Persisting with Cane and keeping Savea at 8 is wasting development time of a true six and bringing on Lakai (who should be backing up Savea). Cane is labeled a straight shooter by Robertson but it could be argued all he is modeling is talk - not action (delivery). Options for six include Vaai, Papalii, Finau, plus some NPC SR talent. Finau needs to be freed to play his game in the ABs - it looks like Ryan has him screwed down and afraid to make mistakes. Blackadder is not a long term or world class option - imo. Sititi is wasted there (despite being best on show) and should concentrate on 8.
Blackadder is 100 times better player then that show pony Sotutu
Agree with all of this.
We lost half our games against Argentina and SA. We simply can't afford to be content with what we've seen from the current set of loose forwards against the top teams.
To their credit, Papali'i, Savea, Finau, and Jacobson are the only loose forwards who have won against a top 5 team this year. None of the other loose forwards in the group have beaten a top 5 team this year.
If NZ lose Sotutu, just crazy.
No great loss unless u from Auckland of course because like JK they reckon all the blues should be in the abs ..let's face it they have to many as it is ..Starting with Rekio..Papalii ..