The thing is for the players to get the real big $ overseas they really need to show their stuff at test level. Being in an all black side to beat England or France really puts a player on the map.
And as far as 10's go every super rugby side needs a very good 10 else they may as well not bother turning up. So at least they will be getting some decent $ already.
I think the main flight risk for NZ 10's is slade.
After a disaster few seasons with injury and seeing himself slip in the pecking order behind Cruden and Barrett and have to move from his hometown to play rugby anyway. He's got the world cup winners medal already!
really realistically the only way he's going to get back into the AB's again is when carter retires and maybe add in a Cruden injury. heck then he still has to make sure he's ahead of Anscombe and Tom Taylor, just so he can be on the bench behind barrett?
I bet a few seasons in Japan earning enough to set himself up long term looks like a very attractive option for Slade right now after the last two years.
You never know, his ITM cup a couple of seasons ago showed just how good he is. But he will have to realize that and more to get back the the sharp end of NZ rugby. He'll have to basically come back next year and ride the highlanders to the top of the table.
And as far as 10's go every super rugby side needs a very good 10 else they may as well not bother turning up. So at least they will be getting some decent $ already.
I think the main flight risk for NZ 10's is slade.
After a disaster few seasons with injury and seeing himself slip in the pecking order behind Cruden and Barrett and have to move from his hometown to play rugby anyway. He's got the world cup winners medal already!
really realistically the only way he's going to get back into the AB's again is when carter retires and maybe add in a Cruden injury. heck then he still has to make sure he's ahead of Anscombe and Tom Taylor, just so he can be on the bench behind barrett?
I bet a few seasons in Japan earning enough to set himself up long term looks like a very attractive option for Slade right now after the last two years.
You never know, his ITM cup a couple of seasons ago showed just how good he is. But he will have to realize that and more to get back the the sharp end of NZ rugby. He'll have to basically come back next year and ride the highlanders to the top of the table.
