Tonga Sevens fail to qualify for Olympics, 3 players eligible for ‘Ikale Tahi [1]
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 - 13:55
Tonga Sevens rugby team failed to qualify for the Olympics at the repecharge tournament held on 19-20 June in Monaco.
They won just one game against Mexico, 21-12, and lost three matches against Samoa 47-5, Zimbabwe 26-17, and Ireland 43-0.
Ireland took out the tournament winning the last men’s spot for the Olympic Sevens in Japan in July.
Tonga Sevens said “our men gave their all and fought for the last spot to get qualified for the Olympics. Unfortunately it didn't go our way with one win and three losses.”
However, three notable Tongan players who took part in the tournament, including former All Blacks, Malakai Fekitoa, former Wallaby, Lopeti Timani, and former Australian Sevens player, Afusipa Taumoepeau, are now eligible to play for ‘Ikale Tahi.
According to World Rugby rules, rugby players that want to make an international switch of allegiance must stand down from international rugby for three years, have a passport for their second nation and play for them at any Olympic qualifying event or at an Olympic event.
The players are now available for selection for Tonga's fifteen-a-side test matches as well as the next Rugby World Cup tournament to be held in France in 2023.