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'Scratching our heads': NZ pundit urges All Blacks to follow South Africa's model
By Ben Smith
New Zealand commentator Scott Stevenson has backed calls for scraping the eligibility rules on All Blacks selection, stating that players must “get better” to win caps.
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The debate around eligibility has risen once more after Scott Robertson confirmed he would present to the NZR board asking them to have an open mind toward overseas selection.
The All Blacks will allow for a player to be selected from overseas on a contracted sabbatical, but won’t pick from non-NZR contracted players overseas.
Stevenson accepted that it would be unfair on players at home, but urged them to get better as the All Blacks are not a “participation award” for loyalty to New Zealand rugby.
“And the big argument is that it’s unfair on players who commit to New Zealand. And I accept that argument,” Stevenson said.
“I know that you want to have a strong game underneath the international level in New Zealand, you want players to commit to their Super Rugby clubs, but can I just say this, not every single New Zealand player is going to be in demand for a club overseas.
“No, they don’t have unlimited cash in France, England, Japan and they’ve got the international cap rules. So I think that argument’s a bit of a straw man for me.”
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Stevenson echoed comments by Scott Robertson on South Africa and the Springboks, who used their open selection policy to use 51 players during this year’s international season.
The Kiwi media personality called the current eligibility rules “self sabotage”.
“The other point I would make about this is the one country that’s top of the pops in the world right now, two-time defending World Cup Champions is South Africa, and South Africa’s eligibility rules are very clear,” he said.
“You can go and play club rugby, franchise footy overseas, and you are still going to get picked. Rassie Erasmus started in tests this year 51 players, 51 players, we’re talking about the All Blacks lightly blooding 12 new caps this year.
“What I’m trying to say is that, you know, we’re sitting here scratching our heads, wondering how we catch up with South Africa while indulging ourselves in an act of self sabotage.
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“The reason the Springboks are strong is because they have opened up their eligibility pool. They’ve said, we want the best players in the world playing for the Springboks, then pick them from wherever they are.
“I don’t buy into this, ‘Oh, it’s unfair on other kids’, get better. The All Blacks are not a participation reward. It’s about being the best player in your position. That’s the way it should be.”
Scott Robertson expressed his desire to follow South Africa’s lead as he didn’t want the All Blacks to fall a “cycle of two” behind in the current international game.
“Using South Africa as an example, they get the opportunity to use a lot of experienced players … looked after and managed well into their 30s,” Robertson said.
“So they have got a great balance. They have got youth coming through, they have got good benches, they finish over top of teams and they have got big squads.
“They can have two really quality 15s, so what does it look like for us? How many players would we bring back? My next step is, is it case-by-case or how do we look at it? What is the potential opportunity moving forward.”
Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now
Another way to look at it, is player development. I look at a guy like Cheslin Kolbe, he was good when he played for the Stormers back in the day, but he would not have became the lethal weapon he is today if it was not for the experience and exposures to different playing styles in France and Japan. I look at the Springbok players and feel that the overseas playing have made them better and enabled them to grow their skill levels to new heights that they might not have achieved if they stayed in SA and kept on doing the same thing with the same clubs.
It's difficult to say who we would actually benefit from having access to right now. Mo'unga and Fainga'anuku are the two that come to mind, but by all reports, it seems both will be back before too long.
I'm not sure South Africa are a great comparison; they are free from the burden of having to prop up Super Rugby, which seems to be working nicely for them. NZ don't have such luxury.
My worry, given Razor's obsession with experience, is we'd see the likes of Cane, Smith, Perenara, and Retallick back in black next year.
All great players, and what a luxury to call on them in a crisis. But their careers are in their twilights; it should be obvious we need investment in the future.
No doubt some loosening of restrictions will occur eventually. If NZR are strategic about it, it's not something to fear. Allowing a few ageing stars to collect their pay cheque overseas would certainly free up resources for the fringe all blacks and SR stars who are easy pickings for cashed-up clubs.
A good place to start would be our 10, 12, & 13 combo. Those 3 alone must command a disproportionate slice of the NZR wage pie. If they plied their trade in Japan, would anyone really miss them? It would be a great opportunity to deploy some resources on the next in line; we certainly need to.
And hey, if nobody else puts their hand up, we'd know where to find them.
Rugby is a professional game. NZR are (supposedly) a professional organisation and their purpose is to support NZ rugby. NZR employ rugby players to support NZ rugby. That means playing in NZ for our teams, of which the ABs is one. If an employee doesn't want to do the whole job, they won't be employed, just the same as in my job. Players who go overseas have decided to seek alternative employment for a different set of working conditions and as such do not play for ABs. Richie Mounga quit his job to work elsewhere, anything else is emotional baggage.
NZ have a good system and are consistently at the top of the world game. In 2027 with the current system they will have a squad capable of winning the world cup. No need to change right now
Capable of winning yes . But what’s the point of winning when you can dominate !!!
...like there's anyone who would have made a difference...That's what these article fail to tell us. The real issue is the loss of the second tier who may in time step up. The incumbenta in the ABs have less and less pressure on them. Fergus Bourke, Aidan Morgan, Harry Plummer,....
Aidan Morgan? Sorry, but what?
Andrew I know you are a diehard Chiefs supporter but even you have to admit that Mo’ungs’s 2023 All Black performance was far superior to either Barrett and McKenzie in 2024.
In addition you have to admit that Razor and Mo’unga have had extraordinary success together. I’m willing to bet that Mo’unga’s performance in that black jersey would be better than 2023