Wynne Gray: IRB loophole opens door for World Cup hopefuls

Sonny Bill Williams could play for Samoa. Photo / Getty Images

A stack of former All Blacks will eye up their chances of another World Cup.

Some may get the chance to play against their old mates because of a gap in the IRB rules when Samoa host their historic test next year in Apia.

The inclusion of sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics allows players who have not played test rugby for 18 months to switch allegiance if they have a passport for another nation.

Someone like Isaia Toeava whose last appearance for the All Blacks was at the 2011 World Cup could hitch his 28-year-old frame to Samoa's cause and play against his old teammates.

Another of his World Cup buddies, Mils Muliaina, could do the same if he returns from his latest injuries and still can't get rid of the smell of international battle from his nostrils.

Of course the transtasman code-swapping Sonny Bill Williams qualifies to play for Samoa if he fancies adding another instalment to his varied sporting career.

Add in Soseni Anesi, Lelia Masaga, Casey Laulala, Rudi Wulf, Benson Stanley, Francis Saili, Kevin Senio and suddenly Samoa would have some depth in their backline resources.

Up front there might not be so many options although approaches could be made to Mose Tuiali'i, Ross Filipo, Jerry Collins, Brad Mika, Ben Afeaki, John Schwalger and John Afoa to see if they had any more international life in their legs.

Fiji might send out inquiries to cousins Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu or even have one more shot at Isa Nacewa while Tonga might ask similarly of Anthony Tuitavake, Frank Halai and Ben Tameifuna.

Rene Ranger and Piri Weepu would qualify for the Cook Islands and Niue but their international programmes are limited.

Is that sort of nation-hopping right? Those with seriously buttoned-down lapels will knock the scheme and point out how it goes against the grain of the one player one nation IRB concept.

We all know of people who hold New Zealand and American or British passports who can work in various countries while those of us with one travel document are more restricted.

It is a fortune of birth or circumstance just as players who used to play for New Zealand Super 15 sides like Toby Smith, Mike Harris and Jayden Hayward crossed the Ditch and used their birth certificate or ambition to try for different national honours. Expansion seems to occupy every fantasy for Super rugby officials so let's deliver a similar strategy in test rugby.