Former All Black Steven Luatua will not play for Samoa this Autumn despite getting called up by the Pacific Island nation for the first team, Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has confirmed.
Lam, the former captain of Samoa, confirmed the flanker’s calf injury sustained in pre-season training will prevent him from making his debut for Samoa having become the latest player to switch their international allegiance following a change in World Rugby’s eligibility rules back in January. Players can now represent a second nation if they serve a three-year international absence and were either born in the second country or have a parent or grandparent born there.
In June, Bristol full-back Charlies Piutau, also a former All Black, made his Tonga debut as one of the first big name stars to play for two international countries since the rule change. Auckland-born Luatua, 31, won the last of his 15 caps for New Zealand back in November 2016 when he ran out against Italy and has been a long-term target for Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua.
