SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs)

[ARHS]

@Stargazer my browser blocks viewing and the online article was retracted. Kepu? Pole? Tameifuna?

[Stargazer]

@ARHS Siate Tokolahi, Ben Tameifuna and Sosefo (Joe) 'Apikotoa.

Kepu isn't eligible yet. Pole is a LH prop.

[ARHS]

@Stargazer Thanks

[Bovidae]

I wonder if Sefo Kautai was considered? Maybe he is ineligible by playing for the Brumbies.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Playing for the Brumbies can't make him ineligible under WR rules, if he qualifies via the (grand)parent rule. Only playing for another country can. Is he of Tongan heritage?

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer NZ-born but I am sure he is. Sosefo Siulangapo Vito Kautai

I was thinking more from RA's perspective, and whatever clauses are in the contract Kautai signed with them to play for an Aust team. Similar to NZR's SR contracts unless you are given an exemption.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Was asking about the heritage, because I also know of a player with the same last name who has played for the Cook Islands, so I wasn't sure.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer Think that was someone with a name like Gideon Kautai who plays for Hastings RSC and was in that Cooks team that played a few games in NZ last season.

[Stargazer]

@Higgins You totally got it!

[Higgins]

@Stargazer A little secret, my flatmate in Wellington was involved in the Cook Islands team that played HB, and got creamed by 90 odd points, about 30 years ago. Obviously he keeps somewhat quite about that!

[Dice]

[Dice]

No former ABs, but a couple of former NZ 7s players in there with Fritz Lee and Lolagi Visinia. Duncan Paia'aua seems like the only other player who has switched countries.

[KiwiMurph]

@Dice said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):

No former ABs

Jordan Taufua? Although I suppose he was never capped.

[Nepia]

@Dice I was wondering where Funaki of the Magpies players was, then remembered he's Tongan.

Is this Taufua's first Samoa squad?

[Dice]

@KiwiMurph said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):

@Dice said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):

No former ABs

Jordan Taufua? Although I suppose he was never capped.

Did he ever make an AB squad? I can't remember.

@Nepia said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):

@Dice I was wondering where Funaki of the Magpies players was, then remembered he's Tongan.

Is this Taufua's first Samoa squad?

Is Ili injured? He's one of the Magpies missing from the team.

I think it is Taufua's first time being selected.

[KiwiMurph]

@Dice said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):

Did he ever make an AB squad? I can't remember.

Yeah from memory he got named but then got injured between the timing of squads being named and the ABs playing.

[Stargazer]

@Dice said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):

Is Ili injured? He's one of the Magpies missing from the team.

I think he is. He's normally are starter for the Rebels, but hasn't played the last 2 (or 3) games.

I think it is Taufua's first time being selected.

Correct.

[Dice]

One guy I thought that might've been selected was Bryce Heem. He wanted to play for Samoa through the 7s loophole a few years back.

Ian Morgan  /  May 10, 2016  /  sport

Explosive wing Bryce Heem eyeing up return to international fold with Samoa

Heem was an influential member of the New Zealand Sevens team between 2011 and 2014.

[Stargazer]

@Dice It may have been a choice between him and Toala. Then choosing Toala makes sense, if only because Heem is 33.

[ARHS]

@Dice. Sef Faagase perhaps. 2016 uncapped Wallaby