Three former All Blacks confirm international switch ahead of 2027 Rugby World Cup

Three former All Blacks — Akira Ioane, Josh Ioane, and a third unnamed player — have switched international allegiance to Samoa ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Akira Ioane, the most notable of the trio, earned 21 caps for New Zealand between 2020 and 2022, while Josh Ioane won a single cap against Tonga in 2019. All three were confirmed in a 30-man Samoa squad announced earlier in October 2026, providing a significant boost for head coach Tusi Pisi.