The Cook Islands sevens coach Chad Tuoro says they've had discussions with former All Black Rene Ranger about switching allegiance with an eye to the Rio Olympics.
IRB Regulations states a player can represent a second country provided they have the correct passport and have not been capped by another team for 18 months.
Just one appearance during the upcoming World Sevens Series would qualify a player to compete for their new nation at the 2016 Games.
Ranger last played for the All Blacks in June 2013 and would be eligible to represent the Cook Islands at next year's Wellington and Hong Kong Sevens, if they can qualify at the Oceania Championship this weekend.
Chad Tuoro, himself a former New Zealand Sevens rep, says Ranger is one of a few players they've approached.
"[In] brief conversations with him I think his challenge is whether he's going to weigh up to have another stint back in New Zealand or stay overseas. Some of those guys that have strong New Zealand links with Super Rugby, and even the national programmes, I think it's weighing up their futures and where they see themselves in the next, I guess, 24 months."
Ranger is contracted to French club Montpellier for two more seasons.
