Rugby World Cup: Few players have switched countries for RWC 2023
The Rugby World Cup is fast oncoming, with a short seasonal series being the last remaining stop on the road to the competition. Introduced in January 2022, World Rugby’s fitness laws now allow players to play for a second nation, even if they have earlier signified a nation. The players require a three-year ‘stand-down’ era from global competition before they can play for their new nation. The player must also have either been born in the nation they wish to signify, or have at least a Grandfather or Grandmother of that nationality.
Here are a few rugby players who have already made the most of the new rules, and swapped countries in time to signify new countries at the France Rugby World Cup 2023. Rugby World Cup fans from all over the world are called to book France Rugby World Cup tickets from our online platform WorldWideTicketsandHospitality.com Rugby fans can book France Rugby World Cup Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Jack Dempsey from Australia to Scotland RWC side
Back-rower Jack Dempsey signified the Australia rugby team from 2017 to 2019 and presented in their 2019 Rugby World Cup squad. Walking away from Australian responsibilities after their Quarter Final exit to England, Dempsey made the change to play for Scotland through his Grandfather’s legacy, with the new eligibility laws coming into effect.
Dempsey loved a seven-year stint playing club rugby in Australia, for the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby. The North Harbour Rays provincial side. The Number Eight signed for Glasgow Warriors ahead of 2021/22 United Rugby Competition season and immediately caught the eye of Scotland rugby national union team Head Coach Gregor Townsend, who is looking for the RWC 2023 team.
With a powerful first step, staining carries and impressive handling skills, Dempsey is a broad number eight. Unexpectedly, Dempsey made his Scotland debut in the 2022 Autumn Series, against his former nation of Australia. He has since gone on to be a noticeable feature in Scotland set up and became a fan favourite throughout the 2023 Guinness Six Nations. Rugby fans can book RWC 2023 Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Charles Piutau & Malakai Fekitoa both New Zealand to Tonga Rugby World Cup team
After the new fitness regulations were introduced at the beginning of 2022, the New Zealand plentiful squad depth began to weaken. New Zealand has always welcomed overseas players from the Pacific Islands to boost their ranks, with Tonga being one such nation to see their happiest stars depart to wear the well-known black jersey. However, the waves are now turning, to the advantage of the New Zealand-capped players, that have fallen away from the group.
The likes of Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa had begun to slip under the New Zealand rugby team radar, as New Zealand’s unbelievable squad depth pushed the duo further to the borders. Both have now dedicated to star for Tonga and will take on the titans of Ireland and South Africa in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup 2023. Ex-Wasps centre Fekitoa currently exist in Munster and continues to tear up the united rugby challenge with thrilling attacking acts.
The 30-year-old was born on the Tongan Island group of Ha’apai and is fit for the New Zealand Rugby World Cup side after three years’ residency in Auckland. After the world cup, Fekitoa will move to Italy, as he has agreed on an agreement with Benetton Trevesio. Bristol Bears star Charles Piutau signified Tonga at the 2010 Junior World Championships, and both of his parents are Tongan.
Piutau will be departure Ashton Gate come to the end of the Premiership season, after lighting up the West Country since 2018. He was an important player in the side that was capped Challenge Cup
champions in 2020, yet with the Premiership salary cap being reduced, Bristol has been unable to keep hold of Piutau, as they have already definite the ratification of England winger Max Malins.
Steven Luatua from New Zealand to Samoa for France Rugby World Cup
Correspondingly, to Tonga, Samoa is also a state who have prospered from the fitness law changes, with the option of bringing in a lavishness of former New Zealand stars soon. New Zealand plugged Steven Luatua has already confirmed his purpose to play for Samoa at the Rugby World Cup 2023, which is a talented sign for the Pacific Island nation.
The Bristol back-rower signified Samoa U20s in 2010, earning five caps for the Pacific Islanders. Luatua was then searched and quickly called into the Junior New Zealand rugby side, and won back-to-back Junior World Championships in 2010 and 2011. Luatua soon found a family in the Blues of Super Rugby, was called up into the All Blacks group for the 2013 Rugby Championship, and made his debut in a 47-29 win over Australia. Click here to buy England Vs Argentina Tickets
Despite signs of assurance, Luatau was not selected for the 2015 RWC, which saw New Zealand retain their title as a global champion. He had begun to slip to the edge of Steve Hansen’s plans, yet was able to feature in a game against the 2017 British & Irish Lions, however, this was for his Auckland Blues club side. Luatua then made the change to join Pat Lam at Bristol Bears, where he led the side to win the above-mentioned 2020 European Challenge Cup.
Israel Folau from Australia Rugby World Cup side to Tonga
Israel Folau is set to be linking Fekitoa and Piutau in the armoured Tongan side, for the France Rugby World Cup 2023. The versatile back has played both puzzles of rugby, having started his profession at Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos in Australia’s NRL. Falou made his early switch to rugby union in 2013, where he associated with the New South Wales Waratahs. He was then fast-tracked into the Australian squad, where he made 73 arrivals until 2019.
That year, Rugby Australia ended his contract, after Falou existing discriminatory attitudes towards same-sex relationships on social media. Falou then ruled back to Rugby League, where he joined Perpignan-based Catalans Dragons in the Super League. He was with the Dragons throughout the Covid19 pandemic, yet in 2021 it was broadcast that Falou would make his second code-switch, as he agreed on a transfer with Tokyo club the Shining Arcs, in the Japanese first division.
With Tongan parents, the 34-year-old became fit to play for the Pacific Island after the world rugby laws variations and made his introduction for Tonga in the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji. However, Falou’s debut was not one for him to remember, as he was replaced with a hamstring injury after half an hour’s play.
We are offering Rugby World Cup 2023 Tickets Rugby admirers can get RWC Tickets through our trusted online ticketing marketplace. Worldwide tickets and hospitality are the most reliable source to book France Rugby World Cup tickets. Sign up for the latest Ticket alert.
