All Blacks and Super Rugby stars reveal which team they want to play for in North v South exhibition match
Late on Friday afternoon, All Blacks coach Ian Foster revealed the eligibility criteria for the now confirmed North Island v South Island exhibition match.
The game, which is currently scheduled to be played on August 29th, will effectively act as a trial for the All Blacks squad – which Foster also revealed could be named the morning following the clash.
Fans and pundits have speculated for months what the best criteria would be for deciding a player’s eligibility. In Australia’s State of Origin series, which is the best modern-day comparison, players must have resided in their state prior to when they turned 13 – or have had a father play for their state.
Most suggestions out of New Zealand were that your eligible island should be based on where you were schooled – though there’s always been plenty of debate surrounding whether your junior or senior years of high school should be used as the measuring stick.
That’s not what New Zealand Rugby have decided, however, at least according to Foster’s comments.
“We think the best legacy thing for us to do is to pick players probably on the first province they played for because the choice they made when they played first-class rugby for that province was probably the start of their move into the professional game. So, we think that’s the best criteria,” Foster said.
Prior to the announcement, a number of senior Super Rugby player had given their take on their own eligibility.
Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall, who was schooled at St Peter’s College in Auckland and plays his club and provincial rugby on the North Shore, indicated that he’d prefer to represent the island where he plays his Super Rugby.
“I’d probably actually put my hand up for the South team, if I’m being honest,” Hall told RugbyPass.
“For me, if they kept those rules for what they did last time, I’d presume I’d be in the South team. I’ve kind of got both feet in both camps, really, so it wouldn’t really bother me either way.”
Hall is referring to the most recently contested North v South match which took place in 2012. Players were selected based on their Super Rugby allegiances at the time which meant that Robbie Robinson, who’d played all his rugby in the South Island prior to that season, wore the black strip of the North Island due to being contracted to the Chiefs.
All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, who’s played his senior rugby for Waikato and the Chiefs but grew up in Christchurch, said he’d value the opportunity to play for the South Island.
“How I see it working is that it’s linked to your school and I’d see myself as a South man,” Lienert-Brown revealed to RugbyPass. “One of the reasons why is because I’d love to have that feeling of representing my school and that’s where, I guess, South really feels right to me.
“It’s the opportunity to represent my school and I guess the people I grew up with and all my family down there.”
“That was just the thing to do – you play your rugby down there, you stick down there, and then they may bring other players in.”
Anton Lienert-Brown spoke with @TomVinicombe about why he did the unthinkable and left the Canterbury region. #SuperRugbyhttps://t.co/A9dB11NvuS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 11, 2020
Lienert-Brown was brought north to the Chiefs by Wayne Smith, who’d flown down to watch the centre play for Christchurch Boys’ High School against Christ’s College – who also had Damian McKenzie on their ledger.
Like his Chiefs teammate, McKenzie also wouldn’t mind representing the South Island.
“I obviously played my first club rugby up in Hamilton [which will likely make McKenzie a North Islander for the contest]. I obviously grew up in the South Island so if I was going to put it out there, probably [choose to play for] the South Island, where my roots are,” McKenzie said.
The Invercargill man wouldn’t be too disappointed wherever he played, however, and quickly added that he’s a big fan of his new home.
“Look, if I get to play in it, it’d be nice. Wherever it is, wait and see. Hopefully, that’s not too controversial, [picking] the South Island. North Island’s a great place, love Waikato.”
Jack Goodhue, like Hall, played his schoolboy rugby in Auckland, representing Mount Albert Grammar School alongside his twin brother Josh. While Goodhue is now a Crusader through-and-through, he’s not too fussed about selection.
“I don’t even know if I want to make that decision,” Goodhue said to RugbyPass. “Man, I think about that opportunity to play with some guys in the North Island that I haven’t played with before… But then to go back and play with the Crusader boys and Highlander boys. I mean, I think it’s going to be two very good teams. It’s all good either way.”
Despite the fact that Goodhue now plays his rugby for his home province of Northland now, he played three seasons for Canterbury when he first moved down to Christchurch. That would make him South Island-qualified – which would see him squaring off against brother Josh.
It’s the same situation for Lienert-Brown, who would play on the opposite of the field to older brother Dan, who’s played all his provincial rugby for Canterbury.
“I just didn’t have that same attachment to the Blues.”
Jack Goodhue spoke to @TomVinicombe about his move from Northland to @CrusadersRugby and where his North v South allegiance lies.https://t.co/G3yDGVjMj5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 7, 2020
While the men’s North v South fixture has been all but officially confirmed by Foster, there’s also a chance that a women’s version of the match would take place.
Black Ferns star Kendra Cocksedge is in two minds about her allegiance, having been raised in Taranaki but played all of her senior career for Canterbury.
“It’s a tough one because I would love to play for the North but Canterbury’s been where it’s been for me,” Cocksedge told RugbyPass. “I’ve played here the last 13 years, and I think it’d be rude for me to turn my back and go and play in the north.
“I reckon I’d literally have to flip a coin and see what happens.”
Perhaps Cocksedge could play for the North Island in the first half of the match, to represent her roots, then swap sides at half-time?
“Yes, that’d be great because our jerseys at halftime just go from red and black to yellow and black,” Cocksedge said, referring to the strips of Canterbury and Taranaki.
“Yes, I think just with what Canterbury’s done… I’d love to play in the north and I’d also love to play in the south, I guess, so it’d literally be a flip of the coin.”
There’s been some speculation that the eligibility criteria for the match has been used to keep the two teams on a fairly even keel and to make the game more of an All Blacks trial. Whatever the case, the battle on August 29th will have every player giving their all for their designated team – regardless of where they originally saw their allegiance falling.
Comments on RugbyPass
There’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments