Highlander and All Black Malakai Fekitoa will need a special clearance if he is to compete for New Zealand in the sevens at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games next year.
New Zealand's prospects of claiming rugby sevens gold at Rio have suffered a blow with at least three leading contenders for Sir Gordon Tietjens' squad ineligible due to nationality rules.
It is understood Fekitoa will need to have a requirement governing the granting of New Zealand citizenship waived if he is to compete.
Born on the tiny Tongan island cluster of Ha'apai, Fekitoa will not meet the five-year residency requirement before the cut-off point for Games selection.
Fekitoa's Highlanders teammate, Waisake Naholo, and former Blues speedster David Raikuna are believed to be in similar positions despite having played for the sevens team in the past.
