Adapt or die. The only road in New Zealand

If the All Blacks are to be a force in international rugby, New Zealand Rugby needs to adopt its own version of ‘Kiddo Law’ in the style of Barrett’s Law.

While South Africa and Australia have benefited from relaxing their selection policies, New Zealand is determined to select players based solely on their country.

Until recently, comments surfaced claiming that Beauton Barrett had applied for All Black eligibility while abroad.

The New Zealand approach

The opener was criticized once the stance came to light, but New Zealand Rugby’s explanation remains puzzling. Barrett explained to Spinoff that NZ Rugby approached him with the idea.

“However, I was very disappointed by the implication that I tried to put myself above the rules. One of the first things they instill in you in rugby is that nobody is bigger than the team and I believe that wholeheartedly,” Barrett said.

NZ Rugby backed Barrett’s side of the story, explaining that they were the ones who initially came up with the idea, with more than 100 caps in the black jersey.

“In discussions with Bouton about his ability to remain in New Zealand beyond the World Cup, NZR management raised the possibility of him playing for the All Blacks while competing at the top level. All parties were aware that further discussion and decision on this would be subject to the decision of the NZR Board.”

But while some members of NZ Rugby are open to the idea, they are certainly rebels who won’t change the status quo anytime soon, with many officials dismissing the idea.

Matt Todd is the exception
Sabbaticals have become an increasingly popular rule in top star contract extensions in Japan in recent years, with only one player representing the All Blacks under contract with Japanese club Matt Todd.

Todd became the first overseas player to represent the All Blacks in 2018, coming off the bench for three games in November after Sam Kane suffered a horrific neck injury against South Africa in the Rugby Championship.

While Kane’s then-reported injury gave Steve Hansen some relaxation in his strict selection policy, it is baffling that NZR are unwilling to compromise for a generation of talent who have served the country with such passion over the past decade.

Two World Cup trophies, more than 100 Tests for the All Blacks and almost 200 professional appearances for Taranaki, Hurricanes and Blues do Barrett no favors?

Never mind that he feared being forced to retire in 2022 after a concussion, he could increase his earnings at some point in his career.

Time for change
Times have changed and the allure of the black jersey can’t be the only thing keeping the country’s top talent clinging.

Players are more aware now than they were ten years ago, even five years ago. His life as a professional rugby player was short, his international career even shorter, DExcept for injuries, a dip in form, a coaching change or an adjustment in the game plan.

There is no better example of this than Richie Monga, who signed a three-year deal with Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus.

Mo’nka has been in a battle with Barrett for the starting jersey since his debut in 2017, and being three years Barrett’s junior, he has the chance to make the jersey his own after 2023.

During a visit to Japan where he was introduced to the club’s supporters, Mo’unga had a clear message for New Zealand: adapt or die.

“New Zealand needs to adapt very fast. Otherwise, the players will leave too early and will not be able to represent their country,” he told reporters in Tokyo.

“We’ve seen many New Zealanders come to Japan every year.”

“If New Zealand don’t fix that, I think sooner or later you’ll see a drop in the level of New Zealand rugby.”

planetrugby.com