Ioane, Stevenson, Laumape Join Pacific Nations Cup Squads
Three former All Blacks have been selected for Samoa and Tonga as they become eligible to represent their countries of origin.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Other Sports
Former All Blacks Akira Ioane and Shaun Stevenson have joined the Manu Samoa camp, while Ngani Laumape has joined the Tonga squad for the Nations Cup. The three players became eligible for their countries of origin after three years without playing for any national team following their last All Blacks matches.
Why it matters
The selections strengthen two Pacific teams in a Nations Cup pool where Samoa and Tonga are tied on seven points, behind the United States on 10. The move reflects how World Rugby eligibility rules allow players with Pacific heritage to switch allegiance after a period away from international duty.
Akira Ioane last played for the All Blacks on 19 November 2022 against Scotland, Shaun Stevenson made a single All Blacks appearance on 5 August 2023 against Australia, and Ngani Laumape last featured on 7 November 2020 in Brisbane. The eligibility of these players is based on a three-year period without national team play, while the availability of Tonga's Ben Tameifuna and Adam Coleman for the Romania clash remains unconfirmed.
The players
Akira Ioane
Former All Blacks flanker who played for New Zealand from 2017 to 2022 before switching to Manu Samoa.
Shaun Stevenson
Former All Blacks player who made one international appearance for New Zealand before joining the Manu Samoa camp.
Ngani Laumape
Former All Blacks centre who last played for New Zealand in 2020 and is now selected for Tonga.
The details
Ioane and Stevenson joined the Manu Samoa camp, while Laumape joined Tonga's squad. Samoa's Nations Cup clash against Zimbabwe is scheduled for this weekend in Wakefield, and Tonga's Ben Tameifuna and Adam Coleman will join the squad next week.
Timeline
19 November 2022: Akira Ioane plays his last All Blacks match against Scotland.
7 November 2020: Ngani Laumape plays his last All Blacks match against Australia in Brisbane.
5 August 2023: Shaun Stevenson plays his only All Blacks match against Australia.
This weekend: Samoa faces Zimbabwe in Wakefield in the Nations Cup.
Next week: Ben Tameifuna and Adam Coleman are expected to join Tonga's squad.
Season Trajectory
World Rugby's eligibility rules allow players to represent a country of origin after a three-year gap from national team play, and these selections apply that provision to former All Blacks. The moves add experienced international players to Samoa and Tonga as they compete for positioning in the Americas and Pacific pool of the Nations Cup.
Samoa and Tonga are each on seven points in the Nations Cup pool, so the added experience from these players could affect their standing as the remaining matches are played. Fantasy and roster watchers should note that the selected players are now available for Pacific national team duty after their eligibility period.
The takeaway
Eligibility rules allowing players to switch to a country of origin after a three-year break are reshaping Pacific rugby squads. Readers following the Nations Cup can track how these additions affect Samoa and Tonga's pool standings.
What happens next
Tonga's Ben Tameifuna and Adam Coleman are scheduled to join the squad next week ahead of the team's upcoming matches.
Further reading
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