Wallaby Eligibility

[Wilson]

With the focus on Wallaby eligible players in the TotW and the good performance of various ineligible players recently I figured it was worth tracking the eligibility of players somewhere. This my attempt at that, based on World Rugby regulation 8 (not Giteau law), broken down into different eligibility categories based on the various components of the regulation. I've tried to add sources where I had them and will look to update this as things change over time. Feel free to ask questions about specific players in this thread or share any updated/corrected details so I can add them here, but I generally won't shift a player's category without a solid source to justify it. I'll also look to add more Australian qualified players overseas as they come up (focusing on world rugby eligibility, not Giteau law eligibility).

For reference here are the world rugby regulations around eligibility

Currently capped (8.2, 8.3):

Allan Ala'alatoa
Lachie Anderson
Tim Anstee
Rory Arnold
Richie Asiata
Angus Bell
Jock Campbell
Cam Clark (sevens)
Quade Cooper
Hudson Creighton
Filipo Daugunu
Ben Donaldson
Ben Dowling
Tane Edmed
Pone Fa'amausili
Matt Faessler
Folau Fainga'a
Tetera Faulkner
Chris Feauai-Sautia
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
Josh Flook (Australia A)
Lalakai Foketi
Bernard Foley
Nick Frost
Matt Gibbon
Langi Gleeson
Carter Gordon
Jake Gordon
Ned Hanigan
Will Harris
Isaac Henry
Reece Hodge
Jed Holloway
Archer Holz
Michael Hooper
Tom Hooper
Harry Hoopert
Len Ikitau
Harry Johnson-Holmes
Luke Jones
Feleti Kaitu'u
Andrew Kellaway
Josh Kemeny
Samu Kerevi
Darby Lancaster (7s)
Tolu Latu
Tom Lambert (Australia A)
Rob Leota
Noah Lolesio
Lachlan Lonergan
Ryan Lonergan
Tate McDermott
Connal McInerney
Fraser McReight
Jesse Mogg
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Cadeyrn Neville
Zane Nonggorr
Ben O’Donnell
James O'Connor
Hunter Paisami
Izaia Perese
Jordan Petaia
Matt Philip
Dylan Pietsch
Joe Pincus
Billy Pollard
Dave Porecki
Jackson Pugh
Triston Reilly (7s)
Tom Robertson
Izack Rodda
Peter Samu
Ollie Sapsford (Australia A) (It was previously unclear if he had been officially capped for NZ 7s, but based on the dates he must not have been)
Rory Scott
Hugh Sinclair
Will Skelton
James Slipper
Ryan Smith
Hamish Stewart
Darcy Swain
Lachlan Swinton
Sam Talakai
Corey Toole
Taniela Tupou
James Tuttle
Jordan Uelese
Seru Uru
Rob Valetini
Rhys Van Nek (Australia A)
Suliasi Vunivalu
Joey Walton (Australia A)
Angus Wagner (Australia A)
Michael Wells
Nic White
Brad Wilkin (Australia A)
Jeremy Williams
Harry Wilson (QLD and Wallaby back row)
Liam Wright
Tom Wright

Eligible by birth or parentage (8.1a, 8.1b):

Bo Abra
Isaac Aedo Kailea
Daniel Ala
Miles Amatosero
Siosifa Amone
Austin Anderson
Connor Anderson
Taj Annan
Floyd Aubrey
George Blake
Angus Blyth
Wilson Blyth
Jack Bowen
Joe Brial
John Bryant
Charlie Cale
Ollie Callan (Born in London, parents unclear so it could be residence)
Josh Canham
Nathan Carroll
Max Craig
Lawson Creighton
Oliver Cummins
Ethan Dobbins
Sef Fa'agase
Lopeti Faifua
Theo Fourie
Harrison Goddard
Frankie Goldsbrough
Mason Gordon
Mac Grealy
Charlie Hancock
Will Harrison
Bryce Hegarty
Trevor Hosea
Zac Hough
Tamati Ioane
Spencer Jeans
Max Jorgensen
Ed Kennedy
Kane Koteka
Bayley Kuenzle
Fergus Lee-Warner
Massimo de Lutiis
Tom Lynagh
Alex Mafi
Daniel Maiava
Grayson Makara
Zane Marolt
Ryan McCauley
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Declan Meredith
Andy Muirhead
Josh Nasser
Cameron Orr
Divad Palu (unclear but looks Melbourne born)
Reesjan Pasitoa
Marley Pearce
George Poolman
Ian Prior
Toni Pulu
Luke Reimer
Henry Robertson
Taine Roiri
Andrew Romano
Tom Ross
Tim Ryan
Will Sankey
Lachlan Shaw
Ned Slack-Smith
Jake Strachan
Leafi Talataina
Reece Tapine
Kalani Thomas
Klayton Thorn
Mosese Tuipultou
David Vaihu (Birth)
Glen Vaihu (Birth)
Harry Vella
Connor Vest
Zac Von Appen
Teddy Wilson
Harry Wilson (The NSW Centre, son of David Wilson)
Jack Winchester
Dane Zander

Eligible by residence (8.1c, 8.1d):
(now or by the first Wallabies test this year, 6/7/24)

Jahrome Brown (Born in NZ, eligible by 24/03/2024 - 5 years after his brumbies debut)

Jaiden Christian (born in New Zealand, here since school)

Jack Debreczeni (Born in NZ, Chilean, Hungarian and Cook Islander by parentage, it’s a little unclear but it looks likely he has served 10 years cumulative)

David Feliuai (Born in NZ, grew up in Brisbane. Has since spent 2 years on mission in Fiji and 3 playing in Romania. Finished high school at Marsden state school in 2014, and with no other schooling mentioned he likely started there in 2009. That makes for 10 years cumulative sometime in 2024, given the 5 years spent os (mission and Romania).

Charlie Gamble (Born in NZ, Eligible April 2023)

Fred Kaihea (Born in NZ, in Canberra since school)

Ryan Louwrens (Looks to be on 10 years cumulative, it’s a bit unclear but confirmed stints in 2007-2009 (2), 2011-2017 (6), 2020 (1) and 2022-2023 (2) is enough)

Campbell Parata (Born in NZ, schooled in Australia from 2004-2019 covering the 10 years cumulative eligibility so that his time in NZ is irrelevant)

Harry Potter (Born in England to English parents. Moved to Australia in 2008, here until at least 2019 before heading to Leicester, covering the 10 years cumulative)

Lukas Ripley (Born in Samoa, been here since school, unclear on parentage)

Papillon Sevele (Unclear where he was born but has Tongan and NZ flags on his instagram. Either way he appears to have been in Australia as far back as 2015 when he was in a Bulldogs (NRL) development squad.)

Phransis Sula-Siaosi (Born in Aukland, in Brisbane since high school)

Tuaina Taii Tualima (born in New Zealand, here since school)

Keynan Tauakipulu (born in New Zealand, here since school)

Tiaan Tauakipulu (born in New Zealand, here since school)

Eligible having already served stand down (8.6):

Alex Hodgman (Australian father, last game for New Zealand was 14/11/20 so became eligible on 14/11/23)

Capped for another nation but eligible after a stand down (8.6):

Currently ineligible but on a residence path (8.1c, 8.1d):
(Debut date of current stint used where no other evidence is available. Eligibility will likely be a bit earlier, but given the test calendar it doesn't make a difference in most cases)

Cormac Daly (Born in Ireland, eligible by 01/2028 - 5 years after emigrating in January 2023)

Vaiolini Ekuasi (Born in NZ, eligible by 11/02/2028 - 5 years after his Rebels debut)

Cabous Eloff (Born in SA, eligible by 18 or 19/11/2024 - 5 years after arriving in Melbourne arrived a "week and a half" before that article was written)

Tom Franklin (Born in NZ, eligible 18/07/2028 - 5 years after arriving at the Force)

Felix Kalapu (Born in NZ, eligible by 25/02/2028 - 5 years after his Force debut)

Vuate Karawalevu (Born in Fiji, eligible by 3/08/2026 - 5 years after his debut for Roosters Jersey Flegg side Actual date is lkely a bit earlier. Also did sign with Brumbies in 2019 but covid got in the way, so he could have a few years cumulative, or possibly an early consecutive start depending on how the Silktails were operating in that period and when he left Fiji.

Sefo Kautai (Born in NZ, eligible by 26/03/2026 - 5 years after his first game for the Brumbies)

Angelo Smith (Born in Fiji, eligible by 23/04/2027 - 5 years after his Wests debut)

Sam Spink (Born in UK, eligible by 25/02/2028 - 5 years after his Force debut)

Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Born in the UK, eligible by 6/11/2028 - 5 years after arriving at the tahs 6/11/2023. Also has a stint with Manly in the Shute Shield, but not long enough for cumulative to be relevant.

Sam Thomson (Born in Scotland, eligible 1/12/2027 - 5 years after joining the Brumbies squad)

Chase Tiatia (Born in NZ, eligible by 25/02/2028 - 5 years after his Force debut)

Tamati Tua (Born in NZ, eligible by 24/02/2028 - 5 years after his brumbies debut)

Mahe Vailanu (Born in Tonga, eligible by 13/03/2027 - 5 years after his tahs debut (Was previously in Australia but left for a stint in LA, looks about the same weather it’s 5 consecutive years or 10 cumulative based on an original arrival around 2016/2017)

Unclear:

Ilikena Vudogo (Possibly 7’s capped for Fiji, otherwise residency could be complete as early as 15/02/2025 - 5 years after his Broncos debut)

Never eligible (capped for another nation and no birth right eligibility or birth right transfer already used 8.2, 8.3, 8.8) :

Richard Hardwick - Previously capped for Australia, used birth right transfer to swap to Namibia

Mesu Kunavula - Capped by Fiji, Fiji 7s

Santiago Medrano - Capped for Argentina

Atu Moli - Capped for New Zealand

Matt Proctor - Capped for New Zealand

Peni Ravai - Born in Fiji, Capped for Fiji (unsure of parentage)

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Capped for NZ and Samoa

 

[Marce]

Good post and good news for Classic Wallabies:

Nemani Nadolo (Son of wallaby Ratu Nemani Driu Nasiganiyavi, capped for Fiji, earliest possible eligibility is 17/07/2024 – 3 years after his last test)

Seriously RA should target those one who wants to wear the golden jersey. Make them sign a commitment like IRFU, SRU or RFU do with Southern Hemisphere players

 

[Dctarget]

Great resource, well done.

shame we can’t find Ekausi an Aussie grandma.

 

[Marce]

Great resource, well done.

shame we can’t find Ekausi an Aussie grandma.

Playing like last night and Blues gonna take him back soon

 

[Wilson]

Great resource, well done.

shame we can’t find Ekausi an Aussie grandma.

I believe he has Tongan heritage so I won't be surprised if Toutai Kefu comes calling

 

[zer0]

With the upcoming RWC cycle turnover, I suspect Ekausi will be snapped up by a NZ franchise. Robertson will also be undertaking a big reno job at the ABs so positions will be wide open, which could be an even greater incentive to return.

EDIT: Especially as his Rebels contract seems to be a one year thing (?)

 

[Members Section]

With the upcoming RWC cycle turnover, I suspect Ekausi will be snapped up by a NZ franchise. Robertson will also be undertaking a big reno job at the ABs so positions will be wide open, which could be an even greater incentive to return.

EDIT: Especially as his Rebels contract seems to be a one year thing (?)

I hope he goes to the rwc this yr for Tonga

 

[kiap]

Good post and good news for Classic Wallabies:

Nemani Nadolo (Son of wallaby Ratu Nemani Driu Nasiganiyavi, capped for Fiji, earliest possible eligibility is 17/07/2024 – 3 years after his last test)

Seriously Rugby Australia should target those one who wants to wear the golden jersey. Make them sign a commitment like IRFU, SRU or RFU do with Southern Hemisphere players

Nadolo will be like 38 years old, and 160kg.

 

[Marce]

Nadolo will be like 38 years old, and 160kg.

Yeah, I heard that Classic Wallabies are looking a big THP

 

[Wilson]

Updated Louwrens as eligible based on a cumulative 10 years

 

[Wilson]

I've updated this list for this years squads, mostly based of off wikipedia and all.rugby. Also removed a few foreign players who are no longer in Australia.

 

[Prodigy]

With the focus on Wallaby eligible players in the TotW and the good performance of various ineligible players recently I figured it was worth tracking the eligibility of players somewhere. This my attempt at that, based on World Rugby regulation 8 (not Giteau law), broken down into different eligibility categories based on the various components of the regulation. I've tried to add sources where I had them and will look to update this as things change over time. Feel free to ask questions about specific players in this thread or share any updated/corrected details so I can add them here, but I generally won't shift a player's category without a solid source to justify it. I'll also look to add more Australian qualified players overseas as they come up (focusing on world rugby eligibility, not Giteau law eligibility).

For reference here are the world rugby regulations around eligibility

Papillon Sevele played NSW PSSA as a 12 year old so I think he’s fine

 

[Filipo Daugunu]

Really hope Ryan Louwrens is eligible, playing out of his skin this year down at Melbourne. On form, definitely in the top 3 halfbacks in the country for me. Looks to have lived just over 10 years here but who knows. Would be handy to have him.

 

[Tazzmania]

I think there may be some gaps as he was not continually in Australia

 

[Dctarget]

Really hope Ryan Louwrens is eligible, playing out of his skin this year down at Melbourne. On form, definitely in the top 3 halfbacks in the country for me. Looks to have lived just over 10 years here but who knows. Would be handy to have him.

Hmm I would be surprised to see him selected. He's improved his form from bad to super level. Don't think I've seen anything that would place him in the conversation with White, McDermott and I'd have Longeran ahead of him too.

 

[D-Box]

According to Wiki he finished school here (07/08) then was back in Perth in 2010 or 2011. With the playing history above and those he is more than 10 years total https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Louwrens

 

[Braveheart81]

Louwrens is also 33. Hardly the likely choice to bring in as the third string option.

 

[Dctarget]

hey @Wilson, thanks for doing this. I think I remember them updating the rule about leaving the country resetting your count down? Good to know for players like Vailanu and Ekuasi.

 

[Wilson]

hey @Wilson, thanks for doing this. I think I remember them updating the rule about leaving the country resetting your count down? Good to know for players like Vailanu and Ekuasi.

They updated it but not in a way that helps them:

From 1 August, 2024, any player with a genuine, close, credible and established link to a union is no longer required to complete 60 months (five years) of unbroken residency in the relevant country right up to the first time that player represents the union.

Under the revised approach ‘rugby registration” over a 60-month period will need to be demonstrated via registration with a rugby body, including a national union or club.

The amendment was approved by the Council following extensive consultation with unions and players and is aimed to address challenges that arise for unions within territories where recording entry and exit from a country is not straightforward.

The onus will be on the union and rugby body to demonstrate the relevant proof of unbroken registration when considering an eligibility case on rugby residency.

Amendment to World Rugby Regulation 8 (national team eligibility) from 1 August 2024 | World Rugby

World Rugby has outlined details of an adjustment to Regulation 8 (national team eligibility), approved in October 2023 and active across the game from 1 August, 2024.

www.world.rugby

So it's now about 'unbroken' (read: exclusive) registration for a rugby team in the country you're trying to earn eligibility for. So going and playing NPC or MLR definitively resets your eligibility counter, but spending a few months of off season at home taking care of your parents or doing a christian mission in the pacific doesn't (assuming you don't play rugby for a local side while you're out of country).

 

[Dctarget]

They updated it but not in a way that helps them:

Amendment to World Rugby Regulation 8 (national team eligibility) from 1 August 2024 | World Rugby

World Rugby has outlined details of an adjustment to Regulation 8 (national team eligibility), approved in October 2023 and active across the game from 1 August, 2024.

www.world.rugby

So it's now about 'unbroken' (read: exclusive) registration for a rugby team in the country you're trying to earn eligibility for. So going and playing NPC or MLR definitively resets your eligibility counter, but spending a few months of off season at home taking care of your parents or doing a christian mission in the pacific doesn't (assuming you don't play rugby for a local side while you're out of country).

lame

surely we get some love in this eligibility debacle as these higher ranked teams get to poach our players.