Changes to rugby’s eligibility laws could make a massive difference to the women’s game, with a host of Black Ferns able to return to their Pasifika roots, writes Alice Soper.
One of my favourite pieces of women's rugby trivia is the answer to the question - who has competed in more Rugby World Cups: Kazakhstan, Scotland or Samoa?
The answer, which surprises those less familiar with the women’s game, is Kazakhstan.
However, in late February, all three of these nations could potentially add to their appearance tally as they compete for the final spot for the 2022 World Cup at the repechage tournament in Dubai.
While much discussion has been had of the impact of the recent change to eligibility laws in the men’s game, the impact for the women’s may be more immediate, with a wealth of talent becoming available just in time for this tournament.
When the change comes in January 1, 2022, players who have stood down from international rugby for three years will be eligible to play for another country if they, their parents or grandparents were born there.
Come January 1, one of the Black Ferns’ most successful former captains and proud Samoan, Seiuli Fiao'o Fa'amausili, will have not played international rugby for three years, one month and 14 days.
Who also retired alongside her on November 18, 2018? Three-time World Cup winner and versatile backrower, Linda Itunu.
Samoa might also fancy recruiting the last World Cup-winning first five and recently signed Hurricane, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, who hasn’t featured for the Black Ferns since 2017.
If you look back further on the Black Ferns roster, there’s still plenty of active talent who could be tempted into donning the royal blue.
Justine Lavea, won a World Cup in 2010, last played in the Super Series 2015 and is still active in Hong Kong rugby. Wellington stalwart, Sanita Levave, becomes available having last played for New Zealand in 2014.
Aotearoa “Katie” Matau’u has been carving her way onto the highlight reels in Portugal and becomes available largely due to the long period between test matches for the Black Ferns.
This talent, of course, would still have to earn their jersey from those currently playing for their home nation, but the timing makes for an interesting proposition with six experienced campaigners now available.
And beyond next year’s qualifier and World Cup in New Zealand, this changes the equation for rugby nations of the Pacific. Their daughters have long featured on the world stage, albeit for their nations of residency rather than their nations of origin.
Up until next year’s tournament, Samoa will have been the only Pacific nation to have played in a World Cup. Fiji now join them and will be an exciting prospect after their stars shone brightly in sevens at the Tokyo Olympics.
O le ala i le pule, o le tautua - the pathway to leadership is through service
But what of the mighty Kingdom of Tonga? Anyone who's had the pleasure to play alongside a Tongan knows how proud they are of their heritage. Their spot in the changing shed will be decked out in red and a flag will appear at the final whistle to be draped around their shoulders.
This talent has been stifled back home though, as in 2018, the Ministry of Education banned the game for Tongan girls. This decision may have been quickly overturned, but the attitudes that led to it take more time to undo.
So as they continue to build a pathway through these negative perceptions, they could be supported by New Zealand-based talent.
Players like Doris Taufateau, a regular feature for the Auckland Storm, and Mele Hufanga, a Tongan rugby league international who was a member of the Moana Pasifika sevens, who beat the Black Ferns 15 invitational side at Takiwhitu Tūturu earlier this year.
Hufanga is yet another example of hamstrung talent, who, despite a tour with the Black Ferns 15s, was never given the opportunity to pull on the coveted black jersey.
This change comes at a pivotal moment in rugby. Where the disparities in men’s rugby are much more entrenched, women’s rugby is still largely amateur. Talent still carries large currency while resources are in short supply.
Simply put, most programmes are still being developed and so Pacific Nations don’t have as much ground to make up. With World XV just around the corner, and with it, the promise of regular international fixtures, all women’s programmes are provided a tangible incentive to build better.
I’ve played virtually all my rugby here in Wellington, alongside many proud Pasifika women. They have taught me much about how to play this game, but more importantly how to carry myself through the world.
O le ala i le pule, o le tautua - the pathway to leadership is through service. The highest form of respect is to tautua, to serve. Our sport has survived so it can now thrive, off the backs of their contribution. They have long served and now is the time for their talent to take the lead and show us just what women’s rugby can be.
