The All Blacks 102-0 win over Tonga at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland has come under the spotlight as the inequalities in the global game became the talking point for fans after the massive defeat.
One fan took aim at Bill Beaumont and World Rugby, asking them if they are ‘proud’ of this result.
He wrote: “You let teams around the world pilfer the Pacific Islands best players, don’t allow them to change residency and then reduce a proud nation like Tonga to a mauling.”
Below we look at five established stars who’ve indicated that they’d like to represent their island heritage.
1. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Australia to FIji)
In an interview with the Daily Mail’s Nik Simon, the Northampton Saints winger international winger said he would ‘100 perc cent’ play for Fiji.
I’m 28 and I’ve still got the best years ahead of me, so the opportunity to play for Fiji would be a dream come true,’ he told Sportsmail.
Taqele Naiyaravoro:
• Very big
• Very fast
• Very scaryYou don't see many people swatting Billy V away
pic.twitter.com/Xp80DR2ek4
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 16, 2018
‘I have no regrets about playing for Australia. I was pretty young at the time when the opportunity came along and I went for it.
‘But Fiji has always been in my heart. It’s where I was born. When I left Fiji for Australia, my dream was to play for Fiji. I would 100 per cent commit to Fiji if that opportunity came along.’
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