Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has played down the prospect of calling up former All Blacks halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow, stating his loyalties are to his current players.
World Cup winning halfback Kerr-Barlow, 32, on Thursday (NZ time) outlined his intention to play for Australia, telling French outlet RugbyRama he would switch allegiance "without hesitation."
A change in World Rugby's eligibility laws has opened the door for Kerr-Barlow, who was born in Australia and hasn't represented the All Blacks since 2017.
Kerr-Barlow has since been plying his trade in Europe, as a standout for French outfit La Rochelle.
But with the Wallabies boasting healthy stocks at halfback, including Super Rugby standouts Nic White, Tate McDermott and Jake Gordon, Rennie is skeptical about whether Kerr-Barlow would be able to challenge Australia's incumbents.
Rennie coached Kerr-Barlow at the Chiefs, with the pair winning Super Rugby together in 2012 and 2013.
"Tawera's been making a big chunk of change over at La Rochelle, so that's where his future lies," said Rennie. "I had a conversation with him four, five, maybe six months ago?
"He rang up just to say if we got under any pressure, if there were injuries, he was born in Australia… The change of rules makes him eligible.
"He's a hell of a player, [but] at the moment we'll be loyal to the guys we've got.
"It's probably our strongest position. To be fair, we've got three excellent nines here and Ryan Lonergan in behind that but as we've seen this year, things can change quickly.
"So I'll certainly keep in contact with Tawera. And yeah, it's a hell of a resource behind what we've already got."
Kerr-Barlow would also fall short of Rugby Australia's overseas player selection policy, limited to just three players per squad being based outside of Australia.
Rennie, though, says there would be a workaround if needed.
"All of that sort of stuff's doable," Rennie added. "I haven't thought too hard about it.
"What I know is he's a great man, a hell of a player.
"You've got a guy who's a former All Black wanting to play for the Wallabies, it's a good sign."
Kerr-Barlow's Australian selection wouldn't be welcomed by all, though, with All Blacks coach Ian Foster saying "It kind of doesn't feel right to me, but rules are rules, and he's entitled."
