
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has put the issue of eligibility to bed by backing New Zealand Rugby鈥檚 staunch stance of not selecting players from offshore.
Last November, after the final test of his maiden, testing campaign leading the All Blacks, Robertson strongly suggested that he would challenge the new New Zealand Rugby board with a view to presenting an alternative selection policy.
At the time, Robertson said he would use South Africa鈥檚 successful example of selecting players from offshore and gather further facts to present the case for evolving New Zealand鈥檚 criteria.
Since assuming the All Blacks鈥 coaching mantle, Robertson has maintained his view that New Zealand must keep an open mind to its overseas selection stance.
Now, though, Robertson and New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson, in an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with the Rugby Direct podcast, are presenting a united front to quell any expectations of changes to the All Blacks鈥 home-based selection model.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW
鈥淚 had a year to look at it and where we stand,鈥 Robertson told Rugby Direct in one of many hot-topic discussions.
鈥淭he first thing is my intentions with my comments were was it fit for purpose still? One of my jobs is to make sure our pathways are strong so we can continue the flow of quality professional rugby players.
鈥淚 understand how important it is and I鈥檝e probably now got more insight around the flexibility there is in the current regulations. It is fit for purpose. There is flexibility there.鈥
Robertson referenced Jordie Barrett鈥檚 six-month sabbatical with Irish powerhouse Leinster, while committing to NZ Rugby through to 2028, as one example of the flexibility.
Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea, and Patrick Tuipulotu are other senior All Blacks who enjoyed stints in Japan before returning home.
鈥淚 just had a catch-up with [Leinster coach] Jacques Nienaber when I was over there and just how impressed he was with Jordie as a player, as a man, how hard he worked on and off the field. Jordie is an on-field coach so he will be learning massively. That鈥檚 a prime example of keeping an open mind.
鈥淭raditionally we鈥檝e gone to Japan to play,鈥 Robertson said of the sabbatical options.
鈥淲hen Jordie came and said 鈥業鈥檝e got an option for Leinster鈥 we zoomed in and talked through all the practicalities; what would his season look like going north? Is it going to make him a better player? 鈥淥nce we鈥檇 listened 鈥 he would have the majority of the Six Nations off, he鈥檇 had a break, he is well-coached.
鈥淲e鈥檙e in a position now where he will come back as a better player and that鈥檚 what we want out of this. He鈥檚 just one example, with potentially more to come.鈥 Robertson hinted that others could follow Barrett鈥檚 European sojourn in future.
鈥淚t鈥檚 worked. The essence is we鈥檙e keeping the integrity of all our pathway programmes. They鈥檝e earnt the opportunity; they鈥檝e been loyal, they get to go away and come back. Other players, depending on where they sit in their careers, have that opportunity as well.鈥
NZR CEO Mark Robinson and All Blacks Coach Scott Robertson in 九一星空无限talk ZB Studio Photo / Michael Craig
Probed on the Springboks鈥 selection model, which allows Rassie Erasmus to pull players from across the globe and formed the backbone for their successive World Cup triumphs, Robertson continued to back New Zealand鈥檚 stance.
Terms could not be agreed, however, which leaves Mo鈥檜nga 鈥 and loose forward Shannon Frizell 鈥 ineligible for the All Blacks unless they return home next year.
NZ Rugby boss Robinson would not reveal details of the meetings with Mo鈥檜nga and why talks broke down.
WATCH THE PAIR ADDRESS THE RICHIE MO'UNGA STORY BELOW
鈥淭here was a lot of speculation around that last year. Clearly people understand there were conversations through last year but ultimately Richie has made a decision to work through to the obligations under his contract. We respect that and we鈥檙e moving forward,鈥 Robinson said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really clear on our eligibility rules. We always respect players who have left the All Blacks and are playing offshore.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always a degree of contact but that鈥檚 good coaches and good people doing their jobs properly. That happens with players that are past their playing careers. That鈥檚 the nature of the All Blacks.
鈥淲e鈥檙e clearly moving forward and have a lot of belief in the people coming through and the protocol we have in place.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an area there鈥檚 always going to be a degree of scrutiny but for us we鈥檝e been able to, for a long period of time, retain the vast majority of players we鈥檝e wanted to retain.
鈥淲ithin the policy there鈥檚 the tools and flexibility to be creative where we need to, to recognise some of those long-term servants that have given so much to the game while retaining them longer-term.
鈥淚 still get messages from the old players checking in. Sam Cane has had his time but he鈥檚 a prime example. He鈥檚 asking how everything is going in the off season.
With Damian McKenzie off contract at the end of this season, Robertson signalled his desire to retain the Chiefs playmaker long-term.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got that special ability to do something others don鈥檛 so we鈥檝e got every intention and we鈥檒l work as hard as we can to have a player like him, at the peak of his powers, he鈥檚 learnt so much, he鈥檚 mature, we鈥檙e on him.鈥
Mo鈥檜nga鈥檚 expected return does, however, leave Robertson to manage the somewhat awkward relationship dynamic with McKenzie, Barrett, and Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta.
鈥淒Mac, what a year he had. We gave him plenty of opportunities. His ability to control the game with his boot. The Irish game, how good was that?
鈥淭he week before he came on to kick the goal against England from the sideline to change the match. Then he owned the game against Ireland and got picked in the world XV as a 10. His impact off the bench; his game management, his ability to lead the team is incredible.
鈥淭hen you鈥檝e got Beauden the evergreen who keeps going and is so classy. He鈥檚 got so much time. He knows the game. He鈥檚 been awesome for us coaches.
鈥淏oth of them complement each other really well and because they can play 10 and 15 both have great impact off the bench so they鈥檙e really valuable to us.鈥
WATCH SCOTT ROBERTSON SPEAK ABOUT HIS SELECTION POLICIES BELOW
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeartRadio app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeartRadio is easy to use and all FREE