Isa needs a new visa

Blues utility back Isa Nacewa is hoping to erase two minutes of his life and have his eligibility transferred from Fiji to New Zealand.

The time in question is the final minutes of Fiji's 2003 World Cup game with Scotland when Nacewa came off the bench in a substitution that had no impact on the game but a massive one on his career.

The instant he set foot on Aussie Stadium, Nacewa committed himself to Fiji for the rest of his career.

But the Auckland-born and bred 23-year-old wants to play for the All Blacks. He is considering a legal challenge to persuade the IRB to annul his Fijian cap and has been advised not to play for Fiji in the Pacific Five Nations tournament.

He might be able to mount a case that says he was not fully advised of the consequences of representing Fiji - that he didn't fully understand that he was killing his All Black dream.

He was 21 at the time and, as he had not signed a Super 12 contract, it is possible the eligibility rules had never been fully explained to him.

There might also be an argument that the IRB laws effectively impose a restraint of trade.

As his Fijian two minutes make him ineligible for the All Blacks, Nacewa has less earning potential than his team-mates who are. He can't earn the assembly fees on offer for those who represent the All Blacks, Junior All Blacks, Maori and Sevens teams.

And, more significantly, his Super 14 salary will always reflect the fact he can't play for New Zealand.

"There is possibly a correlation," said NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew, "between a player's eligibility and their market value. All factors have to be taken into account when we offer a contract.

"I think this case shows how carefully players with dual eligibility have to think before they commit to one country. We encourage players to take appropriate advice so that they can really understand any decision they make."

There has been no promise of a black jersey to drive Nacewa's quest. He came of age this season and has pulled off the rare feat of wearing jerseys 10, 12, 11, 14 and 15 in one Super 14 campaign. He also proved he was a useful goalkicker.

His versatility makes him the sort of player who could nudge close to the All Black squad.

It will be a hard fight - the IRB aren't renowned for making exceptions. The rules are clear enough. Once a player has taken the field in a test or represented a national team deemed to be one rung below full cap status, such as the Junior All Blacks, then his eligibility is captured by that country.

Regardless of whether Nacewa succeeds or not, or even tries to have the decision overturned, there is a growing desire for the eligibility laws to be revisited.

Nacewa is one of many players being punished by the inflexibility of the system. His case will probably fail to tug on the heart-strings of the IRB because he wants to transfer his allegiance from a minnow to a giant.

But there are legions of players who could move the other way and turn the Pacific Island nations into serious contenders.

The NZRU did try and push a law change in 2004 that would allow players who had represented a tier-one nation such as New Zealand, Australia or France, to stand down for a year and then play for a tier-two nation such as Samoa, Fiji or Tonga if they were eligible.

The proposal was shelved.

But with the IRB renewing its efforts to promote tier-two nations and adamant that international rugby needs more quality sides, the proposal could be revisited.

When the Junior ABs played Samoa last Friday, Kevin Senio, Ben Atiga and Sosene Anesi could all have been wearing blue rather than black. All three have one All Black cap and are ineligible for Samoa. But it's debatable whether any will play again for the All Blacks.

Crusaders openside Johnny Leo'o is only ever going to be a long shot to be an All Black but is a certainty for Samoa. He can't now play for Samoa having turned out for the Juniors, while Anthony Tuitavake cann't play for Tonga and Vili Waqaseduadua has been lost to Fiji.

These players will watch the next World Cup when they could be making an impact for other nations.

The same would be true for Sam Tuitupou if he misses out on All Black selection. Saimone Taumeopeau is another, as are Niva Ta'auso and John Afoa.

But what about further down the line? At some stage Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu, Casey Laulala, Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Joe Rokocoko will no longer be All Blacks.

It seems that the IRB has an opportunity to fulfil its own mantra of improving international rugby by reassessing the eligibility laws.