For Charles Piutau, Tonga’s 102-0 defeat by New Zealand in July 2021 was a line in the sand. It was a thrashing that came with caveats – Covid-19 travel restrictions meant a weakened Tonga team – but as the All Blacks ran in 16 tries without reply in Auckland, it was clear things had to change.
Less than six months later, change finally came. World Rugby approved landmark amendments to its eligibility criteria, allowing players to switch Test nations in time for the World Cup. In what has become known as the heritage or birthright rule, players were now eligible to switch nations if they have been stood down for three years and if they, or a parent or grandparent, were born in the country they wish to represent.
