World Rugby statement of clarification: Toni Pulu

World Rugby has released a statement aimed to correct misleading reports that suggest special dispensation has been granted in respect of Toni Pulu’s eligibility.

They have confirmed no such dispensation has been granted to Pulu because none is required.

"While a 2014 World Rugby Regulations Committee hearing determined that a breach of Regulation 8 (a Player may only play for the senior fifteen-aside National Representative Team, the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team and the senior National Representative Sevens Team of the Union of the country in which: (a) he was born; or (b) one parent or grandparent was born; or (c) he has completed thirty-six consecutive months of Residence immediately preceding the time of playing) had occurred as Pulu was not eligible for Niue, under the regulation as it was at the time, it was the union, not the player, who was culpable for any breach," said the statement.

"The union was therefore sanctioned and the player deemed not to be captured by Niue. The regulation has since been reformed to apply joint culpability for union and player, but it is not retrospectively applied.

"Therefore, subject to meeting current eligibility criteria set out under Regulation 8, Pulu is free to represent a nation for which he has a close & credible link."