Former Scotland international Brendan Laney believes the aura of the All Blacks jersey is no longer the dream for many aspiring players and says New Zealand Rugby is partly to blame.
His comments come as a growing number of players with All Blacks experience – or those viewed as future internationals – confirm moves offshore at the end of the Super Rugby Pacific season, with others weighing similar decisions in pursuit of test opportunities.
Hoskins Sotutu headlines the list. The Blues No 8 will join England’s Newcastle Falcons at season’s end and is expected to become eligible for England, after last appearing for the All Blacks in 2024.
In the past fortnight, Louie Chapman and Riley Higgins have both agreed to join Edinburgh Rugby. The Crusaders halfback and Hurricanes midfielder were announced by the club as Scotland-qualified through their grandparents and would be eligible to don the thistle immediately.
While Chapman’s path to the All Blacks would have been a long shot, Laney believes Higgins is a genuine loss – despite New Zealand’s midfield depth – having featured for the All Blacks XV last year.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB, Laney, who played 20 tests for Scotland after leaving the Highlanders and Otago, said the trend would only accelerate if eligibility rules remain unchanged.
“I don’t think the pull of the All Black[s] jersey is what it was 20 years ago,” he said.
“When you’ve got an opportunity like these guys have in front of them to go play rugby overseas, maybe have that opportunity to play test rugby ... it’s something that we certainly need to look at and be more serious about.
“If I was New Zealand Rugby, I’d be looking at this closely, because these guys certainly won’t be the last ones looking overseas.”
Debate around the pull of the All Blacks jersey has intensified in recent years, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, while New Zealand great Sir Michael Jones recently warned the sport is losing the battle for “hearts and minds” to rugby league among Pacific communities.
Under current New Zealand Rugby (NZR) rules, players must be contracted to a New Zealand-based Super Rugby Pacific side to be eligible for the All Blacks, unless granted a sabbatical.
When Dave Rennie was appointed coach in March, he reignited debate around overseas selection, suggesting the organisation should remain open-minded, a view also shared by his predecessor Scott Robertson.
The issue is further complicated by returning players. Shannon Frizell and Richie Mo’unga, who are set to return to New Zealand later this year, will be ineligible until they meet domestic requirements, ruling them out of the upcoming tour of South Africa.
Meanwhile, Fehi Fineanganofo has emerged as one of Super Rugby Pacific’s form wingers, but his move to Newcastle could impact his All Blacks prospects.
Laney said the growing number of departures should concern NZR.
“You can go back over the years and look at guys who have gone – I’m one, and there have been plenty of others – but it feels more common now,” he said.
“I understand why players are doing it, but it’s a concern. Player numbers are under pressure and depth is probably the biggest issue.”
Laney admitted his own ambition was always to play for the All Blacks and representing Scotland only became an option once the opportunity arose.
That pathway is now increasingly common. Players such as Fergus Burke and Tom Jordan have recently become “Kilted Kiwis”, while Bundee Aki, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park have long been established internationals for Ireland.
Updated eligibility rules from World Rugby now allow players to switch nations after a stand-down period – a pathway Sotutu is expected to explore.
Higgins, who is currently injured, hasn’t publicly addressed his reasons for leaving, but Chapman did earlier this week and said leaving New Zealand was not an easy decision.
“It was a choice between staying or chasing something new, and it wasn’t easy,” the 26-year-old said.
“But it’s a great opportunity, especially with that family connection through my grandmother.
“You don’t know how long those chances will be there, so when it came up, it felt like the right time to take it.”
The All Blacks are set to face Scotland in Edinburgh later this year, while there are reports of the two sides squaring off in Dunedin next year ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand have never lost to Scotland in 33 tests.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.