Sabbatical or bust?: How history favoured New Zealand's returning All Blacks
A host of household All Blacks names have headed offshore to pursue other playing opportunities, and while their departures will leave holes of varying sizes in the national team in the short term, they all have one thing in common.
They intend to return and reintegrate themselves into the All Blacks, with the 2023 Rugby World Cup likely the main attraction.
Filtered within their achievable hopes of putting the black jersey on again are likely met with apprehensive determination to maintain a level of fitness and form, and run out in France in two years time.
Utility back Beauden Barrett and lock Brodie Retallick are the highest-profile names in Japan for the now delayed Top League; sabbaticals as part of their New Zealand Rugby contracts that end in 2023.
Halfback TJ Perenara was the latest named added to the group, and like his fellow defectors, wants to be back in the national side.
All three will be back in time for the 2021 international season, whatever that looks like with the ever-familiar Covid-19 pandemic still playing around with the sporting world. If they can return and rediscover their best is a tough question to answer. Recent history throws a handful of varying cases, but does offer some promise.
Sonny Bill Williams, returned in 2015
A man with an extraordinarily eventful career and known to excel in a couple of codes, Sonny Bill Williams’ unique skillset meant his return to the 15-man game was laced with a highly anticipated return to the All Blacks.
But Williams’ time to end 2014 with the All Blacks and the Blues to start 2015 did little to turn many heads away from the superstar duo of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, who were fine-tuning ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.
He did make three appearances prior to the 2015 tournament, enough to see him make the team, where he would play his role as Steve Hansen’s first-choice midfielder off the bench with influential cameos. Particularly against Argentina to open pool play, Williams made a huge impact forceful runs and his trademark offloading.
Williams made a further 25 appearances before leaving the game at the end of 2019.
Jerome Kaino, returned in 2014
Without a doubt the greatest returnee, Jerome Kaino elected to leave New Zealand for two years to play in Japan at the peak of his game. He had just come off a 2011 World Cup-winning campaign for the All Blacks and was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year.
In 2014 Kaino returned with gusto, replicating his mighty physicality in Super Rugby with the Blues, making a selection into the national side for the three-test series against England a formality. He was thrown straight into the starting side as a number eight for the first two matches before donning the six jersey in the final one.
Consistency became Kaino’s hallmark as he started 30 of his 31 tests following the England series, until his final international in 2017.
More importantly for the All Blacks, his return reformed arguably their greatest ever loose forward trio alongside Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, playing a significant part in the World Cup win in 2015.
Chris Jack, returned in 2010
Nothing critical to the kind of game Chris Jack played and his importance to both the All Blacks and Crusaders earlier in his career, but his time down under in 2010 and 2011 was neither successful nor a stain on his reputation.
The two-metre-two lock departed for Europe following the 2007 World Cup, but returned ahead of the 2010 Super Rugby season. His goal was to prove to Graham Henry he could be a useful tool during the 2011 World Cup on home soil, but things did not quite go his way.
Beauden may be overseas but there's still a Barrett sitting atop the rankings in the first in a series on the best players per position who are set to play #SuperRugby this year.https://t.co/q5PpkczISU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 21, 2021
Scattered moments of promise where he did garner consistent starts, were met with Jack struggling to overcome his ageing body which brought about a handful of knocks. Throw into the mix the Crusaders were not in genuine need of an addition to the second row, with All Blacks starters Brad Thorn and Sam Whitelock occupying the four and five jerseys, and Isaac Ross acting as a handy piece off the bench in 2010.
Jack did clock a century of games for the red and blacks, ending up with 110, but never quite found a consistent groove.
Luke McAlister, returned in 2009
Form was not the only detrimental factor to Luke McAlister’s return to New Zealand rugby. In 2009 at a time when first-five stocks were down – due to Dan Carter’s time in France, and Stephen Donald emerging as New Zealand’s starter – McAlister’s desire to be back home closer to family tied in well.
His inclusion in the black jersey was out of need rather than performances, and in eight matches for New Zealand he delivered just a 62.5 win percentage.
Domestically he found more of a calling with the Blues and North Harbour in 2010 and 2011, both of whom benefitted somewhat from McAlister’s return. The former was lacking of playmaking talent following the departure of Jimmy Gopperth, and received an injection thanks to McAlister and Stephen Brett.
But things came to a crumbling end in 2011. McAlister did not show up for training with North Harbour ahead of their NPC campaign and did not return calls, leading to his axing, and a move to France.
Brad Thorn, returned in 2008
It is near impossible to find a player with as much success spread across a variety of competitions in the world of rugby than Brad Thorn. A lot of that can be traced back to his second stint playing rugby, which began in 2008.
2008 marked when ‘Big Bad Brad’ came back to New Zealand rugby after spending the previous three years with the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL. Known for his hard-nosed playing style and no-nonsense approach, he immediately found his services in high demand with the departures of Chris Jack and Keith Robinson, leaving just Ali Williams as a reliable incumbent in the back jersey’s’ locking duo post the 2007 World Cup.
Thorn went on to play 47 of his 59 tests form 2008 until 2011, helping the All Blacks to their drought-breaking World Cup title in 2011 which capped off his international rugby career. He was also a part of the title-winning Crusaders team in 2008.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments