Changes to player eligibility have seen significant winners and losers. Samoa are of the former, Argentina, Chile and the USA are of the later. Samoa face two of them at Rugby World Cup 2023. The rosters of Argentina and Chile will be 100% homegrown players.
The USA missed out on qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2023. Titi Lamositele was notably absent. The Washington state native previously played for the USA at Rugby World Cups 2015 and 2019. Lamositele was born and raised in the USA. He is a product of USA’s system; a homegrown Eagle.
While the USA will not compete at RWC 2023 there will be Americans involves. Lamositele has now made the allegiance change. The 28-year-old from Bellingham, Washington will not be able to play again for the USA.
Lamoistele is the second USA prop lost to a rival in recent times. Roman Salanoa was called-up by Ireland. Salanoa is also a homegrown USA player. He was born and raised in the USA. He learned his rugby in Honolulu and played for the USA at u20 level. Salanoa qualified for Ireland on residency in 2022. He had moved to Ireland in 2017. Salanoa is yet to make his debut for Ireland. He has played for the next-of-XV but it was non-binding.
Samoa’s roster demonstrates exploitation of player eligibility laws. Titi Lamositele is USA born, raised and homegrown. Samoa Rugby had nothing at all to do with him becoming the player he is today. Instead of producing on-island talent, Samoa had World Rugby change the laws so they could select a stronger team. This meant acquiring All Blacks, Wallabies and, indeed, anyone with Samoan family.
Lamositele joins Rugby World Cup 2019 Wallaby fly half Christian Leali’ifano on the roster. He also joins former All Blacks Charlie Faumuina, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Steven Luatua and Lima Sopoaga. Samoa face Argentina, Chile, England and Japan at RWC 2023.
None of Samoa’s opposition at the World Cup will have players who have changed allegiance. In short, like the USA, Argentina and Chile are victims of Samoa exploiting player eligibility.
RUGBY WORLD CUP WARM-UP – SAMOA ROSTER
Forwards: Michael Ala’alatoa, Brian Alainu’uese, Paul Alo-Emile, Michael Curry, So’otala Fa’aso’o, Miracle Fai’ilagi, Charlie Faumuina, Jack Lam, Seilala Lam, Titi Lamositele, Jordan Lay, Fritz Lee, Genesis Mamea-Lemalu, Steven Luatua, Sama Malolo, Theo McFarland, Alamanda Motuga, Ray Niuia, Taleni Seu, Samuel Slade, Jordan Taufua, Luteru Tolai, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Tietie Tuimauga, Chris Vui
Backs: Nigel Ah Wong, Ereatara Enari, Neria Fomai, Stacey Ili, Christian Leali’ifano, D’angelo Leuila, Tumua Manu, Melani Matavao, Tim Nanai-Williams, Duncan Paia’aua, UJ Seuteni, Lima Sopoaga, Martini Talapusi, Jonathan Taumateine, Danny Toala
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