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Manu Samoa boss sets sights on one-test All Blacks star Josh Ioane

Josh Ioane. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Manu Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua singled out one-test All Blacks playmaker Josh Ioane as a player he is keen to capture under World Rugby’s new eligibility laws.

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The game’s global governing body voted on Wednesday to allow players capped by one nation to switch international allegiance to play for a different country that they’re qualified for through birthright, provided they stand down from test rugby for three years.

The change in ruling has opened the door for numerous players of Samoan and Tongan descent who have played for other international sides, namely the All Blacks and Wallabies, to turn out for their countries of heritage.

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Since news broke of World Rugby’s law change, Mapusua has wasted little time in outlining which players he is keen on, as he told Stuff that Ioane, who is of Samoan and Maori background, is one player he has on his hit list.

Following a standout Super Rugby campaign for the Highlanders in 2019, Ioane made his test debut for the All Blacks in a 92-7 rout of Tonga in September of that year.

However, the 26-year-old first-five, who has signed with the Chiefs for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, hasn’t played for New Zealand since then.

That means that, if he isn’t selected to play for the All Blacks in their July test series against Ireland or in next year’s Rugby Championship, he will become eligible to play for Samoa by virtue of having not played test rugby for three years.

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“You’ve got guys like Josh Ioane, who have played one test for the All Blacks, Josh has been playing some awesome footy at the moment,” Mapusua, the former Manu Samoa midfielder, told Stuff on Thursday.

“It’s exciting to possibly be able call on that calibre of player.

“You’ve also got your up-and-coming players, the likes of D’Angelo Leuila, who had an awesome NPC [for Waikato], and just being able to have that depth and competition for positions will strengthen the team.

“It hasn’t always been the case for Manu Samoa, but now we’ve got options and this genuine competition, and healthy competition. It can only be a good thing.”

Other high-profile players who could switch allegiance to play for Samoa in time for the 2023 World Cup include ex-All Blacks Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Lima Sopoaga, Victor Vito, Steven Luatua, Charlie Faumuina and Jeff Toomaga-Allen.

Former Wallabies stars Christian Lealiifano and Joe Tomane, as well as ex-England wing Denny Solomona, could also opt to play for Samoa at France 2023 under the new ruling.

Tonga are also set to gain plenty from the overhauled laws as they will be able to call on the likes of Charles Piutau, Israel Folau, Sekope Kepu, Adam Coleman, Vaea Fifita, George Moala, Atu Moli and Augustine Pulu for the next World Cup.

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1 Comment
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Jmann 1180 days ago

This represent everything bad about this rule tweak.

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JW 2 hours ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

(sharing duties with one of our best ever in BB puts him firmly on that pedestal).

First, in reply to your other post, Richie was only a 2 year AB when he signed after the 19’ WC, so he would be on nothing like what BB is. Instead of re-signing in 22’ for longer with NZR, he simply extended that deal that was likely a standard 300k AB retainer, getting little extra in place for the freedom of going to the market for 24’ onwards.


All that link was for was to show that he would have been in talks while ‘sharing’ 10 duties, as apposed to where is commonly though, like in Spew’s arguments, both after he claimed the starting jersey at Cape Town, and when it was obvious Razor was going to be the next coach. The thing I think you’re missing their is that BB wasn’t sharing, if he wasn’t the 10, he was the 15, so 100% as apposed to Richies 50%, ie correlating to a 2 to 1 valuation in their (Richies) contract value as well.


So I can definitely understand why Richie made the call early to seek a big offer from Japan, and who really knows, maybe his performances in August, even against Japan in October were in time to still be able to bump up his value? But you never hear about these signings as theyre done, announcements are scheduled months later more than not (so a December announcement wouldn’t have left much negotiating time).


So a four year (detractors like HHT will round up to 5) AB at the time does not get offered a sabbatical IMO, especially when they were in the process of negotiating one for Barrett (BB ended up signing in Japan with options for longer right, but NZ came to him with a deal to come back, calling it a sabbatical?). All in all and as always, your outlook is tempered and reasonable Chief, I was just sharing my picture for those that try to ‘blame’ either party.

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