Fiji speedster Rupeni Caucaunibuca has admitted defeat in his controversial bid to turn his back on his homeland and play for the All Blacks.
Last week the 24-year-old, who scored three tries in the World Cup, announced his desire to swap allegiances but it was always considered a long shot as current rules forbid a player switching countries if they have represented a country in both Sevens and Test rugby.
The rules are currently under review though, with changes expected by the International Rugby Board in April.
His announcement, following the World Cup, that he wanted to be an All Black, was greeted with irritation in Fiji and bewilderment in New Zealand as he is clearly excluded by IRB rules from making the shift.
It now appears the winger has completed a u-turn telling The Sun newspaper that if New Zealand do not need his services he will make himself available again for Fiji.
Caucaunibuca originally said he was making the move in anticipation of a change in the International Rugby Board rules.
He told the Fiji Times: "I believe I have done my part for Fiji. I am switching allegiance and going for a spot in the All Blacks team."
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the NZRU had made no approaches to the IRB or to Caucaunibuca.
"Absolutely not. This is a complete surprise to me... He may be speaking from the heart, not from the head."
The Fiji Rugby Union said the saga "should be a wake-up call that the second tier of world rugby was in danger of collapsing".