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IRB insists they ready to prevent exploitation

IRB insists they ready to prevent exploitation

The International Rugby Board insists they are ready to prevent exploitation of their regulations that could see numerous players switch allegiance for the Rugby World Cup.

Changes to eligibility rules ahead of rugby's debut in the Olympics mean a player can represent a country provided they have the correct passport and have not been capped by another team for 18 months.

An appearance in just one Olympic qualification event could lead to a player being selected for that nation's 15‑a‑side team even though the IRB is trying to reduce the number of 'dual internationals'.

The International Rugby Board will not allow abuse of the new loophole in eligibility for the 2016 Olympics that lets players switch national allegiance.

The recently created qualifying rule for sevens' Olympic debut means players with dual nationality, who have not represented a national team for 18 months, can apply to change nations provided they play for the new nation's sevens team in the 2014‑15 sevens world series.

The player would then become eligible for the Rugby World Cup next year and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Players who have already shown interest with this new eligibility rule include Wallabies great George Smith considering Tonga, and former All Blacks Isaia Toeava and Tim Nanai‑Williams regarding Samoa.

IRB Chief Executive Officer Brett Gosper said all transfers will be vetted and the governing body will block any attempt to exploit the loophole.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan has earlier told Fijivillage that discussions have already taken place with Flying Fijians coach John McKee about which players to include.

Names such as Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu have consequently been mentioned over possibly switching to Fiji for either the World Cup or Olympics and Ryan is ready to accommodate them should the need arises.

FNRL

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