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.
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However Mapusua will have to wait a little long for the Bristol star. Speaking to BristolLive, Lam said: “It is awesome for Samoa to have someone of Steven’s experience and leadership involved, especially as they head towards the World Cup which is the main focus, but unfortunately Stevie won’t be available for the Autumn internationals because he is not due back until the end of November, December, that is his injury timeline
“It is great that he is considered in there, great for Samoa rugby. He will be available to them when he gets fit but it is going to be after the November series and then he will be back for the Bears and hopefully will stay injury free and be available to play for Samoa at the World Cup.”
Asked whether Luatua might link up with the Samoan squad while they are touring the Northern hemisphere to add his experience to the group, Lam added: “First and foremost he has got to get his rehab done back here, the most important thing is getting Stevie back on the field.
“He is no good to anyone, Samoa or ourselves, if he is not back on the field so his priority is his rehab and his programme which he has been doing every day diligently, that doesn’t change.”
Elsewhere in the backrow, Lam confirmed Sam Jeffries is set to be sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered against Wasps until January or February, 2023, in a significant blow to both the club and player who remains on England head coach Eddie Jones' radar having toured Australia this summer. Jeffries was called out as a late injury replacement for Bath lock Charlie Ewels and did not make his international debut during the 2-1 series win Down Under, but Jones appears to like what he saw, specifically naming him as a player who wasn't selected for the recent mini pre-Autumn series training camp because of injury - signalling he is still very much in his plans 11 months out to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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