John Drake: One answer to talent drain

COMMENT

I can see some logic in letting players like Bruce Reihana and Andrew Blowers come straight back into All Black consideration once they've finished with overseas clubs - provided they have re-signed with New Zealand rugby.

If a player like Reihana comes back to New Zealand, plays in an All Black trial maybe, is picked for the All Blacks and then stays in New Zealand with a contract for two years or whatever after that, fine. If not, then forget it.

That still protects the integrity of what Chris Moller and Steve Tew are trying to do in retaining players here. Moller and Tew have said the right things on this subject, and are looking at the long term, rather than a quick fix.

In reality, it's a bit like the finger in the dyke, trying to stop players going overseas. But New Zealand has to try, and I support the union wholeheartedly in that. If they lifted the restrictions completely, then a lot more players would go in the belief they could still make the All Black team.

So yes, if they go overseas and then come back, they can be picked. But they've got to sign a contract to play here for a decent time after that.

I think this solution would meet with general approval. And it will be an exception, rather than the rule.

It's not like rugby league, where Robbie Paul comes back here, plays a test, then heads back to Bradford Northern. New Zealand rugby should never let that happen.

However, I'm not sure if New Zealand will give Reihana and Blowers a dispensation. It's not just an individual case here, but a test of the principle. But it could work. The All Blacks should, as far as is possible, always have the very best players to choose from.

And I must say, at least New Zealand rugby isn't in the position Australian rugby finds itself, pinning their hopes on an ageing and battered rugby league player like Andrew Johns.

Don't get me wrong. He's a magnificent player. And if he was 24, different story.

It makes you wonder about the depth of Australian rugby, and the merits of them having another Super 12 team.

I read a columnist the other day talking about the next great New South Wales hope at first five-eighths, who was still at school. We're certainly a lot better off than that ludicrous situation.

There have been some very interesting issues come out of the Johns saga. For a start, it seems the league salary cap is more equal for some than it is for others as the NRL looks to sort out ways to keep Johns happy.


So to this weekend's rugby action. There is still plenty of fight left in that English team. I rate them a chance to upset Australia, although the Aussies always peak well for these big games - unlike the All Blacks in recent times.

Argentina, though, are in for a tough time in Hamilton, after rushing here from the test defeat against Wales in Buenos Aires - did they have the after-match function on the plane?

I'm right behind Graham Henry's decision to play a new team in this match. Players need to play, and you have to treat the campaign these days a bit like the old tours.

This new combination might be a bit rusty, and they could be over-keen as they try to force their way into the top XV. Realistically, this group would have to excel and rely on a drop of form among the players who faced England to have a chance of featuring in the first Tri Nations match. Although then again, look what happened after the All Black trial.

Argentina could be competitive early on, but the All Blacks will probably run away with it in the last half hour. This is a great opportunity for Tana Umaga to cut loose and show his skills.

And finally - the one Henry hiccup so far, his revealing that Richie McCaw was never going to play in the second test against England, even though he was bracketed with Marty Holah all week.

Henry obviously wanted to keep England guessing, and I've got no problem with that. His big mistake was telling the press mob after the game that McCaw wasn't ever going to play. You can bet he won't make that type of error again.