Opinion
Good on the All Black selectors for declining to select players for the All Blacks who are no longer committed to New Zealand rugby. The wholesale rush to the airport for riches in the Northern Hemisphere has combined with poor form and the spectacular psychological failure of the
World Cup loss to produce a cleanout of the 2007 team.
Blues first five Nick Evans, who is leaving to play in England, expressed surprise that he had not made the advance training squad for the All Blacks. It would have been surprising if he had. Players including Evans are fond of saying they "have to do what's best for me". It is a peculiarly modern-day attitude in a team sport and those who think only of themselves ought to be left to themselves to consider their fates. Hurricanes flanker Jerry Collins retired before he was left out, but only after failing to commit himself publicly to New Zealand.
Others may well have been discarded because the selectors can see their lack of passion for rugby here or sense their attraction to foreign currencies. In the short term the selectors' decision may lead to more departures. But that is also to the good.
New Zealand rugby did not get the change of leadership that many sought when Graham Henry was reappointed with his assistants after the All Blacks' worst World Cup result. Those coaches thus spared the axe should not hesitate to swing their own. Their initial team will still be dominated by Crusaders and so-called stars from last year. But the selectors should continue to be bold. The last crisis in the All Black playing roster produced the Baby Blacks of 1986, a World Cup win the following year and a renaissance. Then, as now, spirit can overcome experience.
