Timothy Lafaele was a star for Japan at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Now he's not sure he belongs

Timothy Lafaele, a Samoan-born rugby star who has played 28 times for Japan and was a key performer in the 2019 Rugby World Cup victory over Ireland, says new eligibility rules could erase his place in Japan’s top domestic league. Japan Rugby League One rules set to begin in December will classify players like Lafaele—who hold Japanese passports but were born abroad—as foreigners unless they meet residency requirements during schooling: at least six of nine years in Japan’s elementary and junior-high. Lawyer Seiji Makino represents 24 affected players and is seeking changes via courts or negotiations.