Sayonara unlikely to alter the rulebook

By WYNNE GRAY

MELBOURNE - Leon MacDonald's premature exit to take up a rugby contract in Japan will not persuade the New Zealand Rugby Union to relax their rules about All Black eligibility.

Not in the forseeable future anyway, NZRFU chief executive Chris Moller said yesterday.

Under the present policy, one supported yesterday by national coaches John Mitchell and Robbie Deans, those who choose to ply their rugby trade offshore cannot be picked for the All Blacks.

It was an issue the duo felt they might explore with the union once the World Cup campaign was over. They thought there might be some cases where players could argue for some contract flexibility.

But they conceded that concept was laden with problems and that New Zealand rugby was best served by All Blacks being chosen from the domestic competition.

"There would be a real risk if we relaxed our rules," Moller said.

If the policy were amended to allow offshore players to play for the All Blacks in the same year, it would encourage an exodus and have a detrimental effect on the domestic structure of New Zealand rugby.

"We don't pay as attractively as overseas clubs," Moller accepted, "so we have to use the lure of the All Black jersey.

"In our view it is unlikely there will be any change in policy."

That response trashed some speculation that the 25-year-old MacDonald had been able to include some All Black concession before he signed a two-year contract to play rugby in Japan.

At his age and still near his peak, there were murmurs MacDonald might mount a special request. Even if he wanted to, it appears he would be rebuffed.

Senior present and past All Blacks like Reuben Thorne, Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens have all re-signed with their national and provincial unions but MacDonald was unable to reach agreement.

According to agent Simon Cowles, who acts on behalf of all four players, MacDonald had become the victim of a rugby union policy this year "restricting the remuneration of younger players as part of a reduced player budget".

All Black captain Thorne and Marshall have both signed for a further two years while Mehrtens has signed for one season.

"I still feel I have a lot to offer rugby on the field and also in the game's development," Marshall said as he prepared for Friday's third match, against Tonga.

"I would like to give that back to New Zealand rugby rather than overseas."

The union have been busy trying to complete player signings before the Super 12 selection deadline next week.

They believe they will re-sign most of the 50 players who come off contract this year and about six whose contracts end next year.

MacDonald's mother, Gail, had mixed emotions about her son's decision.

"I'm quite sad to see him go, but it was a decision he made for his health and family.

"He had been thinking about it for a wee while and the offer came up."

Less rugby on good wages in Japan might prolong her son's career after a run of worrying concussions.

It was a decision that rang the right notes for former All Black flanker Jamie Joseph, who went to play in Japan after the 1995 World Cup.

"I guess with guys like Leon who have played for a few seasons and are starting to get injuries, they look to Japan because it's still a competitive competition but doesn't have the intensity of New Zealand rugby.

"I was like that at the time I left [with injury concerns]."