Rugby residency rules leave Scarlets boss uneasy

Scarlets boss Wayne Pivac has coached in his native New Zealand, Fiji, and now Wales and seen all sides of the argument when it comes to the rights and wrongs of rugby’s residency rules.

Pivac has signed Pacific Islanders to ITM Cup teams, including Tongan-born All Black centre Malakai Fekitoa, seen them leave the islands in search of financial security and signed Kiwis chasing international status overseas, bringing Johnny McNicholl to West Wales, because there is simply no path to Test rugby with the All Blacks.

Which is why World Rugby’s decision this week to extend qualification for international eligibility on grounds of residency from three years to five is not as clear-cut as it may seem.