Rugby: NZ officials tip Aussie test move to backfire

Super Rugby would be a far poorer spectacle without the likes of Kieran Read. Photo / APN

Execs believe allowing top players to go abroad will hit Wallabies and Super Rugby.

Australia's move to allow those playing overseas with more than 60 caps and seven years' Super Rugby service to represent the Wallabies will be watched closely by New Zealand Rugby.

Some in the higher echelons of the organisation believe it will be a disaster and it's just a matter of waiting for it to all unfold.

Here's why. As soon as those in the Wallabies frame reach the required numbers they will be off to make their small fortunes in Europe or Japan. What then of the team they have left behind? Or the competition itself for that matter? Clearly both will be worse off.

Those All Blacks who have just passed the 60-test mark are Sam Whitelock (62), Owen Franks (67) and Kieran Read (73). New Zealand and Super Rugby would be poorer for their absence.

Another thing: Think of the (probably very) wealthy owner of the club in France, for instance, who has just paid a lot of money to secure one of those players.

The loyalty of the owner, used to getting his own way in life and in business, lies with the club, clearly, rather than those of a Wallabies or All Blacks coach eager to get his hands on his player for a test.

He will be quite capable of shrugging and raising two fingers at the request from the other side of the world that would see him potentially lose his best player, not only for a test but also maybe to injury. International rugby doesn't interest him, only international players do.

League in New Zealand is a good example of what could happen if we were to follow suit and select players based overseas to represent the All Blacks. The domestic league competition is weak - almost non-existent - and even the Warriors struggle to consistently match the Australian clubs in the NRL. It has to be said that the Kiwis team rarely plays to its potential.

New Zealand Rugby is right to opt for the status quo, although clearly a flexible approach is needed. They need to be aware of younger players vulnerable to approaches from overseas and make it worth their while to stay, just as they need to keep building incentives into the contracts of longer-serving players such as sabbaticals and opportunities to play in Japan, for example.

One more thing while we're all keeping an open mind on these matters - what about opening up New Zealand's player pool by nabbing those with Kiwi connections living in Australia. Many, who have Pacific Island heritage, would jump at the chance to play for the All Blacks instead of the Wallabies. I wonder which nation the Auckland-born Will Skelton would have preferred to play for had he been asked?

All those New Zealand-born players based in Australia and playing Super Rugby should be considered fair game for the All Blacks and maybe it's time New Zealand Rugby considered that.

It would improve the All Blacks' depth while annoying the Australians in the extreme. Many here would say that was a win-win scenario.