Former All Blacks players Bower, Sotutu and Sowakula eligble to play for Flying Fijians

Three former All Blacks players with links to Fiji are now eligible to switch allegiance and represent the Fiji Water Flying Fijians this year should they show interest in doing so.

Blues backrower Hoskins Sotutu, Crusaders prop George Bower and former Chiefs number 8 Pita Gus Sowakula are now able to don the Flying Fijians jersey after they last represented the All Blacks on the international stage in 2022.

26-year-old Sotutu is possibly the biggest name in 2025 international free agency, and he is eligible for both Fiji and England.

Sotutu is undoubtedly one of rugby’s great forward talents with the ball in hand, but a hard-nosed selection policy from All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan has resisted the 26-year-old’s X-factor.

Crusaders front rower Bower was in the All Blacks camp at various points in 2024 as injury cover, so is unlikely to stray from the team he is evidently on the fringes of.

But, given he hasn’t actually donned the black jersey since 2022, the option to switch to Fiji is there for him in 2025.

Lautoka-born Pita Gus Sowakula enjoyed just a two-Test career with the All Blacks and contributed minorly to the All Blacks’ series defeat to Ireland in 2022.

His inclusion was subject to a brief wave of controversy, given his few minutes off the bench over the course of two weeks eliminated him from Fiji eligibility for three years.

Now it is on to the coach Mick Byrne and the three respective players to make their respective calls on this.

Source: RugbyPass