The trio of Fainu brothers, Siona, Samuela and Latu, will not play for Fiji Bati in this year's World Cup in what is a bitter blow for the tiny island nation.
The Wests Tigers brothers have failed to provide evidence to confirm their Fijian heritage, with News Corp revealing they will take no part in the Fijian World Cup squad after the IRL put a red line through them.
Fiji can still field a strong lineup littered with NRL and Super League talent after naming their promising 40-man preliminary squad at the start of September.
Some named expected to be included are Fainu's Tigers teammates Apisai Koroisau, Sunia Turuva, and Jahream Bula.
Bulldogs Viliame Kikau, Dolphins gun Kurt Donoghue and Newcastle's Jacob Saifiti are also likely to be included, while Manly duo Brandon Wakeham and Caleb Navale strengthen the side.
Super League talent in Maika Sivo, Taane Milne, Semi Valemei, and Waqa Blake are expected to be included.
They will have to do it the tough way after being put in the group stages with heavyweights Australia and New Zealand.
It leaves the Fainu brothers with a chance to play for Tonga, but given the stacked options of talent across the field, it will be increasingly more difficult to secure a Test gig.
The Fainu brothers would have been a walk-in into the Fijian side, which would have strengthened them massively in their hunt for World Cup dominance.
Instead, it is likely only Latu will come into selection conversations for Kristian Woolf's Tongan side, given limited half options outside of Isaiya Katoa.
Tonga can opt for Isaiah Iongi to partner Katoa, but given the Parramatta fullback's best work is in the number one, Latu may be the best option.
He can provide stability in the halves, while also filling in at hooker multiple times for the Tigers, making him a versatile utility option.
They can also opt for exiled-NRL half Junior Amone, who has been carving up in the QLD Cup after making a return to professional rugby league earlier this year.
Fiji will kick off their World Cup campaign in Newcastle against the Cook Islands, before meeting Australia in Brisbane, then New Zealand on the Gold Coast to round out the group stages.
