Players switch allegiances

The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) Executive has approved four applications for players wanting to change their 'country of election' for the 2008 World Cup.

Canterbury Bulldog Ben Roberts has been cleared to play for Samoa and Manly's Jarryd Hayne for Fiji.

Warrington Wolf Louis Anderson has transferred from New Zealand to Tonga and will now play alongside the Melbourne Storm's Antonio Kaufusi.

Under RLIF rules, players who are eligible to play for more than one country must elect which country they will represent.

Once this has been done, a player may not change his election until the completion of the next World Cup, or after having not represented that country for two years.

A player is allowed only one application under this rule in any two-year period.

In 2007 the RLIF Executive had approved applications from Parramatta's Fuifui Moimoi and Wests Tigers' Taniela Tuiaki to change their 'country of election' from Tonga to New Zealand.

This was approved and each player lined up for the Kiwis in last year's tour of England and France.

Both players made applications on Friday to change their election a second time in order to return to Tongan ranks but these have been rejected by the RLIF.