NZRU rules out overseas All Blacks

[TRF_Cymro]

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has doused any notion it could go off-shore to strengthen the All Blacks for a World Cup the nation is desperate to win this year.

This latest and final verdict comes after former All Black Nick Evans reportedly claimed he could provide back-up for fly-half Dan Carter if the Crusaders star became unavailable for the tournament.

Former All Blacks prop Carl Hayman was the subject of a report in January claiming the Toulon forward was in secret negotiations with the NZRU for a special three-month World Cup contract. The NZRU dismissed the report immediately with chief executive Steve Tew describing it as "fanciful".

To allow the 46-test prop, still rated as one of the best tightheads in the world, to resurrect his All Black career at the Rugby World Cup would have ended the NZRU's policy that only players playing in New Zealand are eligible for All Blacks selection.

With Super rugby kicking off, all eyes are on the fitness and form of Carter as well as those who would serve as his World Cup backup. None of the players vying to fill Carter's boots should he suffer an injury has put a convincing case for their inclusion in the World Cup squad over the first three rounds of the competition.

With that, former All Black Evans, currently playing in England with the Harlequins, popped up in an English newspaper report suggesting he would be available for the All Blacks if something happened to Carter ahead of the tournament.

Tew said there was unanimous agreement at Monday's board meeting in Wellington that the "stay and play for an All Blacks jersey" policy would not be changed.

"The board was firmly of the view that, on the balance, this stance taken previously still holds.

"We believe that that final incentive to play your rugby in New Zealand is an important one in terms of our player retention and it is also really important to the future success of the All Blacks to have the best players playing the game in New Zealand as long as possible."

http://www.espnscrum.com/newzealand/rugby/story/135917.html​

 

[FlukeArtist]

And so they should.

For many reasons.

But money and the Black jersey aside;
There is not one player that has been away for a season in Northern hemisphere rugby that has come back a better player.
Different sort of game, and they struggle to keep up when they return to Southern Hemisphere style of play

 

[Shaggy]

A good decision not only for the player retention, which must remain the primary consideration, but also because Nick Evans has been out of the All Black set up for so long that he would need time to gel with the rest of the squad, IMO.

Even the players with long term injuries that are not completely out of the frame of All Black recall, such as Ali Williams, have maintained close ties with the management and the squad.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

As above: good on 'em!

 

[SelimNiai]

All of NZ hoping Donald ****** off to France soon then :lol:

 

[Sam Owen]

I red somewhere earlier that Nick doesnt want to come back anyway. At the moment theres good depth in all positions for New Zealand rugby, maybe more so in some positions then others. Bottom line, I dont think theres a need for the All Blacks to be looking overseas.

 

[dan the man]

Great decision!

The no.10 jersey is the only area where we are a bit thin... Hopefully Slade will came back from injury and have an absolute blinder of a season!

 

[Amobokoboko]

I think there is already enough back up for the n°10 jersey in NZ, McCalister is playing well, Slade will be back soon. Cruden is also an option.

 

[lance2010]

Great decision!

The no.10 jersey is the only area where we are a bit thin... Hopefully Slade will came back from injury and have an absolute blinder of a season!

McAllister,Cruden,Slade even Robbie Robinson could fill in,um and Piri Weepu is still an option.Great decesion by the NZRU.Nice try Nick Evans!!!

 

[smartcooky]

If Nick Evans want back in the All Blacks, there is only one way he can do it, and he knows what it is?

 

[dan the man]

I think there is already enough back up for the n°10 jersey in NZ, McCalister is playing well, Slade will be back soon. Cruden is also an option.

Yeah, but these Cruden and Slade lack international experience... I only say that 10 is weak because there are plenty of backups in other positions with a few more test caps under their belts. McAlistar did play really well at the weekend and could definitely bag a spot in the WC squad.

I think that playing Weepu at 10 (although he's better than most) would be a mistake... He's a top halfback and a great tactical kicker, with the kicking coming from 9,10 in NZ instead of 10,12 like most other countries it's important to have him at halfback. Anyhow, good decision from the NZRU! Of Evans wants a black jersey he should throw a Highlanders jersey on again... Not that they need him

 

[FlukeArtist]

Lets face facts here- Cruden is NOWHERE near international level.
Slade is unproven.
McAlistair has to prove he can up his game to what it was prior to him going to England.

At the moment, we don't really have adequate back-up to Carter (one HOPES the Donald experiment is over now), But we can't change this law re eligibility.

And to be frank, there is no way that changing the law can work in favour of the All Blacks, outside of (arguably) the short term.

I honestly have not yet heard a strong argument for changing this law.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Even if you would go for Evans, he hasn't played any international games since 2007.
So that puts him equal to the other choices the AB selectors have.
Ok, he has his experience but we all know that during the RWC Carter most likely will start every "difficult game" as the pressure of winning the RWC is massive. Meaning that the back up will play some Tri Nations games ( against teams that will not play on full strength) and the easy world cup games.

If McCalister keeps up his shape, he would be my first pick.

 

[woodward]

The law will, or at least should never be changed. Thankfully the drive to reach the pinnacle of the sport and achieve something memorable is still more powerful than the attraction of easy money in the north. Hayman and Evans would most likely struggle to regain a place in the squad as they have been away from the environment that made them great players in the first place.

 

[nickdnz]

I like Cruden, and Slade isn't bad as well, but Graham Henry royally f*cked them all over by not selecting them for the EoYT. If Stephen Donald is selected, there will be an uproar. Like I've said for a while, Luke McAlister is the man I'd go with. I think one Lions game is a little premature to get too excited about, but he has shown moments of brillaince during the NZ Maori Centenary Series. He's had a lot of injuries since his return, but he does actually look like he's in tremendous shape. He's be my pick, with either Cruden or Slade backing up. So long as Stephen Donald and Stephen Brett aren't in the RWC squad, I'll be happy.

 

[Shaggy]

I like Cruden, and Slade isn't bad as well, but Graham Henry royally f*cked them all over by not selecting them for the EoYT. If Stephen Donald is selected, there will be an uproar. Like I've said for a while, Luke McAlister is the man I'd go with. I think one Lions game is a little premature to get too excited about, but he has shown moments of brillaince during the NZ Maori Centenary Series. He's had a lot of injuries since his return, but he does actually look like he's in tremendous shape. He's be my pick, with either Cruden or Slade backing up. So long as Stephen Donald and Stephen Brett aren't in the RWC squad, I'll be happy.

Dan Carter's back up is one of the few positions that is genuinely up for grabs in the All Blacks, and there's plenty of games left in the super season for everyone to press their claim for the Jersey ... Pretty hard to judge the likes of Cruden (1 game), and Slade (no games) yet

 

[Amobokoboko]

True, who knows, if Donald has a good season he could make it as well. Altho Delany should deserve a chance as well.

 

[woodward]

True, who knows, if Donald has a good season he could make it as well.

Every All Blacks fan dreads that thought, but thankfully his international career is well and truly over.

McAlister is the number 1 contender considering its world cup year.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Every All Blacks fan dreads that thought, but thankfully his international career is well and truly over.

McAlister is the number 1 contender considering its world cup year.

You say that until Henry selects Donald :lol: