It’s reported that Gagai’s eight-year non-selection has played a part in his clearance to change allegiance to the Kiwis.
His switch gives Jones another option in the centres for this year’s tournament, with Gagai being arguably the competition’s form player in his position.
In 25 games, he’s scored six tries and created 12 more, to go with 123 tackle breaks and 378 tackles at a success rate of just under 80, to help his Newcastle Knights into Sunday’s NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters.
Gagai is also poised to join club and Queensland teammate Kalyn Ponga, who has also changed his allegiance from Australia to New Zealand at test level. Although Ponga had never played a test for Australia, he did wear the green and gold in an international nines tournament in 2019.
Interestingly, Gagai could make his debut against Australia, who open their World Cup campaign against the Kiwis at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on October 15.
The Kiwis’ World Cup squad will be named on Tuesday.