Bristol Bear’s and former All Black Charles Piutau’s hopes of playing at next year’s World Cup have taken a huge hit. The powerful utility back had hoped to switch his allegiance to Tonga due to the All Black’s selection policy meaning only players playing in New Zealand would be selected.
Piutau who is now at his 3rd European club since leaving New Zealand 2015 has been a huge hit at Wasps, Ulster and now Bristol, lighting up the Premiership & Pro14.
Charles was hoping to represent Tonga for the 2nd time in next years World Cup in Japan having represented Tonga in 2010 in the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.
There currently is a loop hole in the rules and regulations where if a player completes a 3 year stand down period from International Duty they can become eligible playing for a new country in an Olympic-qualifying Sevens tournament.
Piutau has completed the first part of the equation having last pulled on the All Blacks Jersey in July 2015 but the next Olympic Qualifying competition will not take place until after next years World Cup in Japan despite attempts to bring it forward.
“We were actively exploring a group of players, not just Charles, that were in the same boat and whether we could qualify them before the World Cup, and we can’t, It got ruled out a couple of months ago.”
Tongan coach Toutai Kefu told Stuff.co.nz.
I guess we’ll just have to wait until France 2023 to potentially see Piutau light it up in World Cup action, for Tonga or perhaps the All Blacks should he decide to make a return to NZ shores.
Need a reminder of how good this man is, check out the highlights below.
