All Black Selections?

Question

Should NZ Player be allowed to be picked playing in another country for country honours. Why Should they have to be based in NZ for selection.

Answer 1

The logistics of selection are certainly easier, selectors shouldn't have to look at any other comps other than the NZ based ones. Match ups between a hand full of guys all aiming for the same same spots are not possible when guys aren't playing in the same country.

And . . . who cares if a New Zealander can shine in another country? There is more to the All Blacks than just being a rep for NZ or owning a brace of brilliant individual skill sets.

You need to be representing NZ rugby. A big reason why the ABs enjoy so much success is because NZ rugby is dynamic,  it's a living breathing animal, ever changing and growing.

If you are not playing NZ rugby then you will certainly have a hard when it comes to represent.

Tricky thing is this, can guys leave and return with something to add to the game, can a stint overseas make you a better player and allow you to give back to NZ rugby ?

If the answer is yes, then we will need a re-think on our selection philosophy - time will tell.

Answer 2

It is all about control as central contracts give the all black management professional control over the players and when and where they can play (as demonstrated by most of them being pulled from their clubs - six months in advance of the world cup).

There will never be a situation whereby a club will withhold a all black, as is common practice with say welsh players or tongans who play in england, and who are effectively only bought to cover english players - when they are away on international duty.

Answer 3

It may come eventually, but it would probably hurt the game in NZ quite badly... and Europe too.  The lure of the All Black jersey is what keeps a lot of players in NZ, if you let them go after the big contracts then we lose a bunch of our top players (5 times more than we have already) and our young players don't get to learn from them in the NPC or Super 14, plus the leaving players will kill opportunities for young talent in Europe and they will become just like England is in Soccer.

I like that the players must be based in NZ and I like that they can go away for 2-3 years, make a bunch of cash and come home to be eligible for the AB's.