World Rugby is considering a residency eligibility overhaul, asking for the view of all Test-playing nations with the possibility of extending the current period to five or even six years in a bid to stop countries poaching young talent from rival nations.

But it's a rule change that would have made Fijian-born Speight unavailable for the Wallabies' World Cup campaign, despite living in Canberra since the start of 2011.

Speight had to wait four years to make his debut for Australia after a paperwork bungle, and he admits he was tempted to play for Fiji while his international future was clouded.

Under current rules, a player must live in the country he wants to represent for 36 consecutive months to be available for Test selection.

It has been lambasted for being too short and allowing players to switch international allegiances too easily.

Speight, who is also set to play sevens for Australia next year at the Olympic Games in Rio, countered that the potential change was questioning the commitment of players and that they would be the ones who suffer the most.

"Everyone will have their thoughts … but I see no reason why someone should have that right stripped away from him if he has proven, in my case, calling Australia home for more than three years and is committed to staying in Australia, willing to put his body on the line for the country," Speight said.

"Mine was almost a four-year wait and that was really testing patience and resilience-wise. The relief that you get when they give you a final date and you can work towards it is fantastic.

"Those who come to Australia, live here and take an opportunity … not just to advance their careers but to have a better life for themselves and their families.

"The officials will have their say and those who are pushing to make it longer and they have their reasons. But at the end of the day, it's the players who suffer [if changes are made]."

Speight was drawn into an international saga when World Rugby refused to recognise the length of his stay in Canberra under its official guidelines.

Speight joined the ACT Brumbies for the 2011 Super Rugby season, but played in the New Zealand provincial competition at the end of that year.

It was deemed his short stint with Waikato broke the required 36 consecutive month rule and Speight had to wait until September 11, 2014 to be free to play for the Wallabies.

At times he questioned his mission, but said playing for Australia was "the ultimate goal" and he earned selection in Michael Cheika's 31-man World Cup squad.

He also re-signed with Australian rugby this year on a landmark deal that will make him available for Australian sevens duties and a potential Olympic campaign.

"I don't know what more proof they need for players who commit to signing a three-year contract … do they want permanent residency? That might not be enough," Speight said.

"It's a tough one. The potential of playing for Fiji was an option. It certainly tests your reasons and what not. But in my mind I was committed to Australian rugby and Australia as well. I was 100 per cent focused and becoming a Wallaby was the ultimate goal."

Nine of the players in the Wallabies' World Cup squad were not born in Australia.

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper has said in the past that the game's governing body was prepared to review the policy to prevent cashed-up clubs swooping on young talent.

Rugby bosses hope to know by the end of the year whether they need to alter the three-year residency rule after speaking with every Test nation.

All nations have been asked to submit their views on the regulation and Gosper hoped the review would be complete by January.

Either way, Speight hopes the game continues to grow globally and in Fiji.

Fiji was one of the most unlucky teams at the World Cup, drawn in the pool of death alongside Australia, England and Wales.

Speight said Fiji "did the country proud" and hoped the Wallabies would look at ways to take a Test to the Pacific Island nation. Speight and Wallabies outside centre Tevita Kuridrani were both born in Fiji.

"[Taking a Test to Fiji] is for the people at the ARU to talk about. It would be great though, not only for the Wallabies but for Fijian rugby as well," Speight said.

"A lot of Fijians support Australia – Tevita, myself and then Taqele [Naiyaravoro] as well. What Fiji did at the World Cup was a massive boost for the country."