WHEN HE was set to make his first bow for Samoa, Christian Leali’ifano took to Instagram to celebrate. Holding his new jersey in front of him, the 35-year-old Moana Pasifika fly-half posted: What a journey it has been. All the glory to God. JEREMIAH 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The smile on his face tells a story too, while under it, names from the global game like Matt Giteau, Allan Ala’alatoa and Will Genia are buzzing in support. Those three stand out.
Because Leali’ifano has played in a World Cup before. The last one in fact, in Japan. But it wasn’t Samoa he was representing. It was Australia.
The fly-half has made the switch thanks to a recent change in rugby’s eligibility laws. Since January 2022, players who have already been capped have the licence to swap nations if they meet these two criteria: if they have served a stand-down period from international rugby for 36 months, and they were born in the country to which they wish to transfer or have a parent or grandparent born in that country.
Leali’ifano has 26 caps for the Wallabies but now embarks upon an exciting sojourn, wearing another shirt at the World Cup. In the Samoa squad he is joined by tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina, who has won a World Cup with the All Blacks but who has spent considerable time away from Test rugby playing in France. On bringing such experience into the fold, Samoa boss Seilala Mapusua said: “Having that experience and the rugby IQ is going to be really, really big for our squad as a whole.”
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Rugby World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Rugby World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RUGBY RANT
Writer Sam Larner rails against rugby's scheduling of fixtures
"The list of highlights is endless - I wouldn't change a thing"
The Wales great who also represented the Scarlets and Lions with distinction
SIX OF THE BEST
MANOR PARK have played a blinder by Nutting out So many teams in one massive weekend
Back with a bang!
The first sell-out since Covid in the final year at the Hong Kong Stadium... we bore witness to a madcap Hong Kong Sevens
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
A globetrotting, jet-heeled, kick-blocking, defender bamboozling star. Keeping up with Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe will make you dizzy
MY DAY OFF..ADAM RADWAN
THERE IS a symmetry to Adam Radwan’s favourite hobby. A player renowned for his remarkable athleticism, leaping like a salmon to score by the corner flag, likes nothing better than spending a day fly fishing on the River Tyne.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
LORENZO PANI had it all planned out. If he managed to score a try in Cardiff, he would reach for the trademark ‘Siuuu!’ celebration of his footballing idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
WHAT'S UP WITH ULSTER
Mid-Season changes to leadership, poor form on the pitch and a lot of confused looks from fans Tom English digs into troubled times at the Irish province
ROSSLYN PARK SEVENS
With blockbuster numbers, high skill and a fired-up crowd of players, former pupils and parents, this traditional event is as strong as ever
TOP 12 FINISHERS
It's try-time as we run down a list of our favourite scorers across the global game down the years