New All Blacks coach ‘Razor’ Scott Robertson is calling on NZR to reconsider its policy on player eligibility.
Robertson told legacy media he is keeping an ‘open mind’ on the issue of overseas-based players representing the All Blacks. During a two-day camp in Auckland with the All Blacks, which marked the first meeting between Robertson, his new management team, and the players, the issue of player availability was a key topic.
NZR’s current policy requires players to be based in New Zealand to be eligible for the All Blacks. The union has reaffirmed its policy despite recent calls from All Blacks captain Sam Cane and others to reevaluate it, especially given the attractive contracts on offer to kiwi players from overseas leagues like Japan’s League One.
While Sam Cane’s short stint in Japan won’t affect his international play, other players like Richie Mo’unga have signed multi-year contracts overseas, which will impact their eligibility under current rules. Robertson is pushing for flexibility, urging New Zealand Rugby to keep an open mind given the rapidly evolving nature of the game, both on and off the field.
When questioned about the captaincy Robertson said he will wait until the post-Super Rugby camp to make an announcement. The All Blacks are set to begin their season against England in July.
A key theme of the camp was moving past the disappointment of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final loss, with players avoiding the topic to concentrate on a fresh start. The new coach said there was a need to balance consistency of selection with an openness to give emerging talent a go in shaping his squad. While the loss of experienced players post-World Cup was a negative, there was also a lot of exciting new players coming through the ranks.
Robertson also discussed the importance of managing player workloads during the upcoming Super Rugby season, with plans for individualised load management rather than a blanket rule for player rest. The strategy will include closely working with Super Rugby coaches to determine the best approach for each athlete, taking into account factors like previous injuries. The goal was to ensure players are well-prepared and in optimal condition for the international season.
