In his debut appearance as the All Blacks coach, Scott Robertson has advocated for New Zealand Rugby to maintain an “open mind” and contemplate revising eligibility policies, allowing overseas players to represent the national team in 2024. Robertson expressed his openness to the idea, emphasizing the need for reconsideration in light of the departure of notable players like fly-half Richie Mongu’a following the World Cup final disappointment last year.
The All Blacks have adhered to their longstanding domestic-only policy, insisting that players must either participate in Super Rugby or commit to returning home the following year. However, there is a growing chorus advocating for a policy change, fueled by the increasing number of New Zealand players opting for the lucrative Japanese market.
Scott Robertson, when questioned about the eligibility policy, revealed his discussions with various stakeholders, including the board, Super Rugby CEOs, and provincial unions. He emphasized the importance of maintaining an open mind in this evolving landscape.
“I’ve not explicitly requested to recruit players,” Robertson clarified, “but rather, I encourage keeping an open mind considering the current state of the game. Given the rapid developments on and off the field, with player movements, decisions, and contracts, I aim to stay ahead of the curve, hence the call for an open mind. Interpret that as you will.”
While acknowledging the departure of prominent names like Richie Mo’unga to overseas leagues, Robertson refrained from singling out specific players, refusing to designate the 29-year-old as the primary target for his endeavors.
“I simply aim to maintain an open mind to ensure the selection of the best available players for the All Blacks.”
Meanwhile, Robertson remained tight-lipped about the potential future All Blacks captain, indicating that he has no intentions of making any captaincy decisions until the squad is announced ahead of their series against England in July.
During a two-day camp in Auckland, which brought together 22 players from last year’s World Cup squad, previous captains Savea and Cane were unavailable due to overseas commitments, while Super Rugby-winning captain Scott Barrett was present. Although Cane currently holds the captaincy, any of the three could be considered for the role. However, Robertson declined to disclose details about potential candidates or the number of players in contention.
“I’ll announce the captain as we approach the series when we name the squad,” Robertson informed reporters. “I need to engage with various individuals, hold discussions, make impressions, and explore all options. It’s crucial that we thoroughly consider all possibilities.”
