Call for All Blacks to pick from players based abroad
BRUCE Reihana, who played two Tests for the All Blacks in 2000, believes it’s time for New Zealand Rugby to change its selection policy and pick from foreign-based players.
Like the IRFU, NZR contracts players centrally in order to have control over their player pool and limit the exodus. However, with the All Blacks having slipped to third in the world rankings and not won a World Cup since 2015, questions are being asked in terms of picking players like Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga, who are based in Japan.
NZR continue to contract centrally and still hold the policy of not selecting overseas-based players but Reihana thinks the tectonic plates might be starting to shift.
“If you want to keep competing at the top you’ve got to pick your best players,” Reihana told The Rugby Paper. “Just because they are playing in other competitions shouldn’t matter – players going global has become the way of the world.”
The men in suits at NZR are in a catch-22 situation. There is a school of thought that the proverbial floodgates could open if the selection policy is relaxed. The most ardent critics in New Zealand argue that there will be a mass player exodus but Reihana, who played for Northampton Saints from 2002 to 2011 after a Super Rugby career for the Chiefs, is of the view that the All Blacks can replicate the Springbok model. In 2019, South Africa scrapped their controversial 30-cap eligibility rule and reaped the rewards of an open selection policy, claiming back-to-back World Cup titles.
“I think they (NZR) are really worried that if they did open up the gates so many more players will leave which would really hurt New Zealand rugby,” said Reihana, who came close to rejoining the Chiefs in 2004 and vying for All Black selection when Wayne Smith returned as All Blacks assistant coach after spending four seasons at the Saints.
“For me, Aaron Smith (below) in particular could still make a real difference,” said Reihana of the 124-capped All Black, who is playing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan. “If your nine and 10 are on song and calling the shots then normally the rest of the team follows. I think the All Blacks’ 9/10 axis is a bit of a work-on at the moment in terms of communication.”
The All Blacks finished second in the 2024 Rugby Championship and have won six out of nine games under the guidance of Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson, who replaced Ian Foster.
“A couple of wins can make you a hero and a couple losses can make you a zero,” said Reihana, who played with and against Robertson in New Zealand. “Razor is definitely the right man for the All Black job because he’s got a thick skin.”
Reihana was surprised at Leon MacDonald’s early exit. The assistant coach left the set-up in August, with reports of him not seeing eye-to-eye with Robertson, having only been involved for five Tests.
“Leon’s exit is a bit of shame and leaves a hole,” said Reihana, who was handed the No.11 shirt by Jonah Lomu for his debut against France in 2000. “It strikes me as a bit selfish.
If I’m coming in to be the attack coach, I’m following my head coach 100 percent in terms of his philosophy. After a certain amount of time, you can talk about changing certain aspects but it’s not about the individual but the team.”
