Several All Blacks could be representing another nation at the 2027 Rugby World Cup after World Rugby relaxed the eligibility laws in 2022.
Previously, a player would be tied to one country once they played international rugby with the Olympic loophole providing a route to change eligibility.
Ex-All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa exploited that loophole, but World Rugby made it easier for players to change their international allegiance in 2022 with the birthright transfer.
If a player has already international rugby, they are able to switch to a country they have ties to provided that at least three years have passed since the player last represented their former Union and they have received the necessary approval from World Rugby.
With this in mind, we take a look at 10 All Blacks who could trade New Zealand for another country before the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Nepo Laulala – Samoa
Having last represented the All Blacks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, tighthead prop Nepo Laulala could switch his allegiance to Samoa from November 2026.
However, that is only if the 33-year-old returns to pitch, having spent over a year on the sidelines. The front-rower has had rotten luck since making the move to France after the World Cup. He played a handful of times for Toulouse before rupturing his Achilles tendon.
There are doubts over whether his career is over or not and there have been reports that Toulouse will release him from the final year of his contract.
If he does return to the pitch, he could switch his allegiance to his country of birth in time for the World Cup, and while he would be 36 by the time Australia 2027 comes around, he does play in a position where that has been done before and recently.
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Finlay Christie – Scotland
After featuring in both of the Test matches against England last year, scrum-half Finlay Christie did not add to his All Blacks cap tally in 2024.
A cap this year would deny him the opportunity to switch international allegiances before the Rugby World Cup but if not, he could make the move to his country of birth, Scotland, just before the tournament.
The tournament in Australia is slated to kick off in October, meaning there is just enough time for Christie to get World Rugby’s approval and make the switch to Scotland in time to press for selection.
Richie Mo’unga – Tonga or Samoa
NZ Rugby and Scott Robertson have made no secret of their pursuit of Richie Mo’unga after the talented fly-half left New Zealand to join Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Mo’unga has been open about his desire to return to international rugby, and while the door back to the All Blacks looks to be ajar at the very least by the time 2027 rolls around, he will be eligible to represent Tonga or Samoa before then.
While the playmaker was born in New Zealand, he will qualify for a switch to Samoa or Tonga through his parents, with his mother born in the former and his father the latter.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports NZ, Mo’unga confirmed that he wants to play in another World Cup but did not state in which jersey.
“Obviously, I want to play in another Rugby World Cup,” he said. “I’m not just saying that, this is stuff that people haven’t heard from my mouth.”
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Emoni Narawa – Fiji
Two-Test flyer Emoni Narawa’s All Blacks chances have been boosted with the impending departure of Mark Tele’a, but the 25-year-old could pull on the colours of Fiji if he wishes to do so.
The Chiefs star did play one Test under Robertson last year, against Fiji in July, meaning he would be in a similar situation to Christie if he did not represent the All Blacks again until 2027.
Hoskins Sotutu – England or Fiji
Robertson overlooked Blues star Hoskins Sotutu in 2024 despite the back-rower being a standout performer during his club’s successful Super Rugby Pacific season.
Unlike many on this list, the 26-year-old can make an international switch in 2025 and has two options at his disposal: England and Fiji.
He will only become eligible for a switch on 19 November 2025, and in order to be selected for England, he will have to sign for a Premiership club and according to reports, he has suitors.
Akira Ioane – Samoa
The older brother of fellow All Black Rieko Ioane, Akira can follow in his father’s footsteps by pulling on the Manu Samoa jersey as soon as this year.
Ioane left the Blues at the end of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, and because he last played for the All Blacks in 2022, he is able to make the switch to Samoa pending approval from World Rugby.
Folau Fakatava – Tonga
Another All Black who the Tongan Rugby Union have reportedly reached out to about a switch in international allegiances along with Mo’unga.
Folau Fakatava was born in Tonga before moving to New Zealand at the age of 16. He played twice for the All Blacks in 2022 against Ireland and has not represented the side since.
Aidan Ross – Australia
One-cap All Blacks prop Aidan Ross is eligible for Australia in July 2025 because of his birth in Gosford, north of Sydney.
Ross spent the first eight years of his life in Australia before his New Zealand parents moved the family to Tauranga.
His only cap for New Zealand came against Ireland in 2022 and having already signed a deal to join the Queensland Reds ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, Ross could debut for the Wallabies this year.
Ngani Laumape – Tonga
Tonga could really benefit from All Blacks players heading abroad, having already done so with the likes of Charles Piutau and George Moala.
Laumape earned the last of his 17 All Blacks caps in November 2020, meaning he was unable to make the switch to Tonga before the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Japan-based star is eligible to make the switch to Tonga, where his parents were born, and has expressed his desire to do so.
“I’ll put my hand up for Tonga,” he said back in 2023.
“It would be a great opportunity to represent my parents’ country. I’m a proud Tongan, so if I was picked, I would definitely put my foot forwards.”
Shannon Frizell – Tonga
Yet another star of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Shannon Frizell joined Mo’unga in signing for the Brave Lupus, joining the club in 2024. It is reported that he signed a two-year deal with the club.
Having last played for the All Blacks at the World Cup, Frizell can switch his allegiance to Tonga, his country of birth. His adoptive brother, Tyson Frizell, has also played rugby league for multiple countries, representing Australia, Wales and Tonga.
Mark Tele’a – South Africa or Samoa
Mark Tele’a’s international career will be put on pause as long as he is in Japan with the All Blacks not selecting overseas-based players.
In the event that he does not return to New Zealand and play for the All Blacks again, after three years he could make the switch to either Samoa or South Africa.
The winger was born in New Zealand to a South African father and a Samoan mother, meaning that he could trade his international allegiance in 2027. Unfortunately for Tele’a, he will not be eligible for a switch in time for the Rugby World Cup, having last played for the All Blacks in November 2024.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/10-all-blacks-who-could-switch-international-teams-before-the-2027-world-cup
