Nearly two months out from the World Cup, Michael Jennings is a wanted man.

The Parramatta centre is unlikely to be part of Mal Meninga's Australian squad for the tournament but in an unusual international eligibility episode, he is the subject of interest from both Tonga and Fiji.

The 29-year-old is technically able to play for either country due to his family links and previously represented Tonga at the 2008 World Cup. 

Fiji National Rugby League chief Timoci Naleba, however, told local media this week that Jennings could switch Pacific nations when this year's event in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea begins in late October.

"What I can confirm is that when I spoke to him, he had expressed his interest to play for Fiji in this year's World Cup," Naleba said.

That was news, however, to Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, who picked Jennings for this year's Pacific Test against Fiji in May only for him to be forced to withdraw.

"Michael has told me he's playing for Tonga," Woolf said on Friday. "I've spoken to him prior to that [statement from the Fiji CEO] coming out and spoken to him since that coming out. He was a little bit bewildered about that.

"He's very passionate about his Tongan heritage. I've known Michael for a little while now and he's always expressed a desire to play for Tonga to me." 

Jennings' only other World Cup appearance was for Australia against Fiji in St Helens during the 2013 tournament.