WORLD CUP WINNER Tawera Kerr-Barlow has voiced his desire to play for Australia.
The former All Black made the stunning revelation in an interview with French publication RugbyRama.
The scrum-half’s international career appeared to have come to an end when he joined French side La Rochelle in 2019, as New Zealand do not select overseas-based players for Test squads.
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However a new law introduced by World Rugby last year has opened the door for Kerr-Barlow to make a shock switch to the Wallabies.
Kerr-Barlow playing for New Zealand in 2016. Photosport / Pablo Gasparini/INPHO
Photosport / Pablo Gasparini/INPHO / Pablo Gasparini/INPHO
The new law allows a player to change national team once in their career if they were born in the country they wish to transfer to, or have a parent or grandparent born in that country, and have been stood down from Test level for three years.
Kerr-Barlow – a member of the 2015 World Cup winning All-Black squad – was born in Australia and won the last of his 29 caps for New Zealand in 2017.
“Unlike New Zealand, Australia have a rule allowing players who are overseas to still be eligible for selection. I am available to play for the Wallabies,” Kerr-Barlow told RugbyRama.
I was born there, I have a lot of ties in this country and if the staff calls me I will go without hesitation. It would be a great opportunity but for the moment I am focused on La Rochelle.”
Tonga recently took advantage of the new law by calling up ex-All Black Charles Piutau and former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau.
Kerr-Barlow – who missed last season’s Champions Cup final defeat of Leinster with a broken hand – signed a new deal at La Rochelle last year which will keep him at the club until 2025.
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'I am available to play for the Wallabies' - Former All-Black Kerr-Barlow eyes up shock switch
WORLD CUP WINNER Tawera Kerr-Barlow has voiced his desire to play for Australia.
The former All Black made the stunning revelation in an interview with French publication RugbyRama.
The scrum-half’s international career appeared to have come to an end when he joined French side La Rochelle in 2019, as New Zealand do not select overseas-based players for Test squads.
However a new law introduced by World Rugby last year has opened the door for Kerr-Barlow to make a shock switch to the Wallabies.
The new law allows a player to change national team once in their career if they were born in the country they wish to transfer to, or have a parent or grandparent born in that country, and have been stood down from Test level for three years.
Kerr-Barlow – a member of the 2015 World Cup winning All-Black squad – was born in Australia and won the last of his 29 caps for New Zealand in 2017.
“Unlike New Zealand, Australia have a rule allowing players who are overseas to still be eligible for selection. I am available to play for the Wallabies,” Kerr-Barlow told RugbyRama.
Tonga recently took advantage of the new law by calling up ex-All Black Charles Piutau and former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau.
Kerr-Barlow – who missed last season’s Champions Cup final defeat of Leinster with a broken hand – signed a new deal at La Rochelle last year which will keep him at the club until 2025.
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New Law Tawera Kerr-Barlow Australia New Zealand