Former All Blacks Captain Says Cane’s Eligibility Rules Suggestion Would Kill New Zealand

In international rugby, several countries, including Ireland, New Zealand, and England, have adopted strict policies for test-level player selection, favoring those who play club rugby within the nation. This approach aims to maintain a strong domestic club scene and grant national rugby unions greater control over player management. However, it comes with the drawback of potentially excluding top-quality players who choose to play abroad.

New Zealand has long adhered to this selection policy, with current captain Sam Cane expressing some reservations. Cane, now with Japanese club Tokyo Sungoliath, will be available for the All Blacks in 2024 after signing a short-term deal. He acknowledged that he might have committed to a longer contract if it didn’t affect his eligibility for the New Zealand team. Cane suggested that New Zealand could explore a more flexible approach, similar to the Springboks, who allow their internationals to play overseas.

Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read, however, opposes such a change, believing it could harm New Zealand rugby at both club and test levels in the long run. He emphasized the importance of New Zealand players participating in a strong domestic competition to engage fans and maintain the sport’s vitality in the country. Read expressed concerns about the challenges associated with aligning international and club seasons, citing the example of South Africa, where players end up playing almost year-round without breaks.

 

According to Read, the current system of offering sabbaticals provides ample opportunities to retain players in New Zealand for extended periods. He views any move away from this structure as potentially detrimental to the overall health of rugby in the country. While acknowledging the need for discussions on player policies, Read does not see a shift happening immediately and hopes that opportunities like sabbaticals will keep players rooted in New Zealand.

Ultimately, any significant change to New Zealand’s selection policy would likely face resistance due to concerns about its impact on club rugby and the overall structure of the sport in the country. As of now, players like Cane may have to continue signing short-term deals if they wish to balance their international careers with overseas club opportunities.