Melbourne-born All Blacks World Cup-winning scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow says he is available “without hesitation” to switch nations and play for the Wallabies.

Kerr-Barlow, who played the last of his 29 Tests for the All Blacks in 2017, made the stunning revelation in an interview with French publication RugbyRama.

The 32-year-old has been playing for La Rochelle since 2019 and helped the French club win the European Champions Cup final last season, adding to the 2015 World Cup winners’ medal he earned with New Zealand.

However, being based overseas meant giving up playing for the All Blacks, who do not select players based outside New Zealand.

Kerr-Barlow was, however, born in Melbourne and is ready to use his Australian roots and World Rugby’s new player eligibility laws to seal a surprise switch of nations.

The Wallabies are currently allowed to select a maximum of three overseas-based players in the squad.

“Unlike New Zealand, Australia have a rule allowing players who are overseas to still be eligible for selection,” Kerr-Barlow told RugbyRama.

“I am available to play for the Wallabies! I was born there. I have a lot of ties in this country and if the coaching staff calls me I will go without hesitation. It would be a great opportunity but for the moment I am focused on La Rochelle.”

Under World Rugby’s new eligibility laws, players can transfer once from one international rugby union to another, as long as they meet a certain criteria and have a close and credible link via birthright.

The player must have stood down from Test rugby for three years and can only switch nations once in their career.

The law has already been used by former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau and former All Blacks centre Charles Piutau to play for Tonga.

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images