Eligibility rule for over seas players

[bayrep]

Since Mitch's/Deans fantastic selection policy where they ignored any star player and went for players that were not playing for there positions or were unknowns which forced established AB players to look over seas as they saw no future in NZ with the Mitch and Deans show. It does make the rule where we cannot select from players that are now playing overseas seem rather silly. From all reports Craig Dowd is having a blinder for the Wasps in England. Why shouldn't he along with Cully be available for selection. NZ only has a finite base of players and with all players not getting contracts through the NZRU they are chasing the dollar over seas, which reduces our player base even more.

Do other countries have a similar policy ? SA doesn't from mem, Aus/Eng ? What is the benefit of NZ forcing players to play in the local comps before they are eligible for selection again ? Surely it must be getting to the stage where this is an out dated ruling, they have changed the policy for coaches why not the players ?

 

[Te Kaha]

Almost half of the NZRFU's income is derived from the TV contracts. No star players in NPC or Super 12, no money. no money no game. If the lure of an All Balck Jersey isn't enough then good luck to them. There are enough players who want to be All Blacks.

 

[bayrep]

There are always going to be star players. Before a player can play over seas he has to play in an international game i.e. AB's or Super12. Not all players will go becuase of money Lomu is a classic example of this. This is a bit of a cope out by the NZRU for a reason not to do this.

 

[Te Kaha]

You only have to look at the trouble that the Kiwis face in getting English based players released to see why its a bad idea. Why would a player stay to earn 80K (super 12) or 200K (All Black)NZD a year when they can earn 300KGBP?

Cully is a prime example of why the rule should stay. He stated that he wouldn't have signed with Munster if he thought he would still be selected for the All Blacks.

 

[bayrep]

Yep I agree with the money situation we will never compete with the pound or the yen. Also agree that getting players back from clubs is an issue. But how is it that soccer is able to make this work ? and I still think its viable if you had such a claus in your contract to release them for internationals. Players would also be awear that if you did play over seas that there is a chance that they could not be released for internatinals in which case is it more important to be an AB or take the money ?

We are still losing players to the mighty dollar anyway why not give them a chance to still play for the AB's while they are chasing the dollar.

Remember when the RU wouldnt let players come back to union if they played league to try and stop players going to league (Stupid rule). It didnt stop players they still went and since they have changed this rule you do not see a flood of players going to league.

 

[ripper]

I reckon we should let 2 overseas players in at any one time

(Troy Flavell and Christan Cullen)

 

[..::ERIC::..]

Who says the English clubs would release them anyhow? Just look at how they kept the islanders during the WC.