Why changing All Blacks eligibility would be so detrimental to New Zealand rugby
New Zealand Rugby have remained resolute in their strict stance on All Blacks eligibility, limiting selection for the national rugby team to players competing in domestic competitions. That being said, the question is being asked and players are reportedly receiving a more “open-minded” tone from NZR in contract negotiations.
The All Blacks’ Rugby Championship rivals have each adopted more inclusive eligibility rules that see each of the tier-one sides take the field with foreign-based players, allowing their biggest talents to take up high-paying contracts overseas without compromising international competitiveness.
While those fellow southern hemisphere nations have differing specifics, a threshold of 30 caps is currently the magic number for players to have completed before they can take advantage of the rule.
Former Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall is currently playing for Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan’s Top League, he says international experience would be crucial if New Zealand Rugby were to adopt less strict eligibility laws.
“If you’re an experienced person and have a very professional understanding of what it looks like for you week-to-week,” Hall explained on The Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “You could probably get away with it.
“The pace over here is very quick, but the physicality and I guess level or standard is a little bit lower than your Super Rugby.
“It does take players a bit of time to acclimatise back into that high tempo, high physicality and be able to play at that level.”
Were experience at the top level not required for All Blacks eligibility, it could be hugely detrimental to the “whole rugby ecosystem” in New Zealand, according to Hall’s fellow podcast panellist James Parsons.
Parsons asked the question of whether Hall would have hung around in Super Rugby for as long as he did if there was the potential to still be selected for the All Blacks while playing overseas – on a bigger contract. Hall answered without hesitation, “definitely not.”
Elaborating on why that is so dangerous for the local game, Parsons said: “That’s a six-time-title winning No 9, that you want teaching the next level, going back to Harbour.
“If you look at Lewis Gjaltema, who was at Harbour under Bryn for a number of years, didn’t play hardly any footy, he’s carving up in the premiership. Without that apprenticeship with Bryn; they used to get there 40-odd minutes before everyone and Bryn would take him through all his drills and he just got better and better and better. If Bryn’s not there, he doesn’t get that opportunity and he’s not doing what he’s doing now. That is a powerful part of why we’re so strong.
“Obviously we want to keep the best players, I want to keep them as well. But, the flow-on effect can impact our whole rugby ecosystem, which would need a rethink.”
“We can’t fall behind, if you look at everyone that’s had a sabbatical, it’s taken a few months to get up to speed. I’m not saying there is a future with it not happening, but with one lever you pull to keep a small amount of players, how many then start to go offshore and our NPC struggles, our Super Rugby struggles.”
“And the sponsors don’t necessarily get the pay (off).” Podcast host Ross Karl added.
Comments on RugbyPass
Finn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
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