In a recent interview Taniela Tupou, expressed his displeasure at the NZRU selection policy, being unable to represent New Zealand Schools because he doesn’t hold a Kiwi passport, despite living in Auckland for, four years.

“They said that ‘if you’re not on a New Zealand passport and you’ve been here for four years, you can play for the team’. But I’ve been here for four years and they said I can’t play for the New Zealand A team. It’s not fair.”

Although he said would take the chance to play for New Zealand in a heart beat, he said, he was starting to look at options in Australia, where he has received offers.

“But that’s one of my goals this year – to play for the New Zealand A team. If I can play with them, then maybe I’ll change my mind from going to Australia.

“If I have the chance to play for the All Blacks, I’ll take it. If I can’t make the All Blacks and I can’t make the Wallabies, then maybe I’ll play for the other one – [Tongan national rugby team] Ikale Tahi.”

He has also had offers from Europe and from local clubs, but has yet to be contacted by the New Zealand Rugby Union to talk about his eligibility. “Maybe I’m not good enough to stay here,” he joked.

It’s not the first time New Zealand has lost young talent because politics has gotten in the way of common sense.

In 1988, Willie Ofahengaue was refused re-entry into New Zealand on his Tongan passport after touring Australia with the New Zealand schools team. And we all know the rest of that story.

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