Rassie Erasmus resurrected the world champion Springboks by having no restriction on player selections, and it’s high time that New Zealand Rugby follows suit, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that SA Rugby’s decision to allow Erasmus – upon his return to the Republic in 2018 – to select overseas-based players was crucial in reversing the Boks’ decline in the world rankings.
Keohane recalls the Boks’ 38-3 loss to Ireland in 2017, when many top players were excluded due to overseas commitments, emphasising that Test rugby should feature the best available talent, regardless of where they play.
Erasmus insisted on unrestricted selection, a policy that has been vindicated by South Africa’s back-to-back World Cup title wins. Keohane notes that several overseas-based Boks have returned home, while others have enhanced their skills and value abroad.
He criticises the All Blacks’ policy of excluding overseas players, arguing it compromises team quality. He cites the absence of Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell, who are currently ineligible for selection due to their Japanese contracts.
Keohane believes the All Blacks’ reluctance to pick the best players, regardless of location, is outdated.
WATCH: Money Man backs Boks to sweep Ireland
KEO: Loftus win for SA not the Bok way
“South Africa’s willingness to select overseas based players for the national team was a decision that halted the Springboks free fall to a professional era low ranking of seventh. It surely must be a matter of when the All Blacks go the same way,” Keohane writes.
“All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has already challenged, by way of introducing it as a public discussion, the reality of considering overseas-based New Zealanders for the All Blacks.
“The belief that players must choose loyalty to the black jersey and silver fern over financial well-being is absurd.
“The reality is that the core of the All Blacks squad would still be from those playing in New Zealand, but a handful of world-class overseas-based players is the difference between being one and four, or as South Africa found out in 2017, one and seven in the world rankings.”
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post All Blacks must adopt Bok policy appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus resurrected the world champion Springboks by having no restriction on player selections, and it’s high time that New Zealand Rugby follows suit, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The post All Blacks must adopt Bok policy appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
