Bristol Bears talisman Steven Luatua has been called up to represent Samoa this Autumn.
Flanker Luatua is a 15-cap cap New Zealand All Black, however he is the latest headline name to make an international allegiance switch following a change in World Rugby’s rules earlier this year.
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. Auckland born Luatua has not played for New Zealand since November, 2016 when he ran out against Italy and has been a long-term target for Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua having expressed his interest to play for the Pacific island nation.
