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Sky commentator on whether the All Black jersey has lost it's pulling power
By Henry Lee
With the recent rumours surrounding rugby circles about All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a being offered an overseas deal, pundits in New Zealand have posed the common question, does the black jersey still have the same pulling power it once did?
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1News reported last week that sources suggest a deal has been done with Steve Hansen and Ian Foster’s Toyota Verblitz in Japan, and, with Tele’a’s New Zealand Rugby deal expiring at the end of this year, the 28-year-old may be exploring other overseas options.
Former All Black Jeff Wilson has given his opinion on the issue, saying that the Tele’a rumours concern him about how New Zealand Rugby keep players in their system.
“From my perspective, I’m concerned, we all understand the game has changed, we get that. The motivation suppliers and what motivates individuals in terms of their game is important to each person,” Wilson said on Sky Sports show, The Breakdown.
“So when I hear the news that it looks as though Mark Tele’a is going to head offshore and he’s not going to be available to the All Blacks at the next Rugby World Cup.
“This is the 2023 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year and I don’t know if we can do more to keep our players in New Zealand, but this, this really concerns me.”
Wilson believes that Tele’a can still be a major part of the All Blacks going forward and that his finishing ability is one of the best around.
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“This guy is a superstar, not just in our game, for the International game, for the All Blacks and the Blues as well.
“He’s one of our great superstars, we don’t have many players who can do those types of things, there are players who do other great plays, but I’m concerned right now.
“I think is a huge loss if he’s leaving offshore, I understand that’s where things are heading but here’s a guy who changed the position because he’s a bit different than what we’ve had before, the strength of footwork and in small spaces through the middle of the park.”
Wilson admits the thought that All Blacks wingers should be under 28 years old doesn’t apply to Tele’a, who’s proven to be a ‘late bloomer’.
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“He’s in his prime, he’s a late bloomer. Because he’s a late bloomer, that’s why I say he’s in his prime, the 28-year-old thing that just became convenient.
“He’s still in his prime. I think he still has 2-4, good years in him, now it looks like we’re going to lose that.”
The 51-year-old current Sky Sport commentator and analyst compares Tele’a’s situation to the likes of Shannon Frizell, Richie Mo’unga and Leicester Fainga’anuku.
“There are guys in similar situations, Shannon Frizell, Richie Mo’unga and I know Leicester Fainga’anuku is coming home, but he went away, he also decided he wanted to play overseas.
“Damian McKenzie went away for a couple of years. We’ve got players who could still play for the All Blacks like Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane.
“I’m concerned now where I’m seeing guys and you think about the impact they could have in two years. They’re not going to be available to us. I know it’s a challenge, I get all of that and maybe that’s why some decisions are being made upstairs.”
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I'm certainly not saying this to knock Telea, but if he's such a superstar why was he either on the wrong wing or not playing to accommodate a fullback out of position for 2 years? I think he saw the writing on the wall with good young players emerging and Leicester coming home so decided to maximise his earning potential while a current AB.
Jeff Wilson should take a breath and let other commentators have a say. He always over talks people and hogs the show.
Goldie was a top All Black but it's a shame that Sky doesn't give deeper thinkers a platform on their flagship show.
All Blacks in their 30s have been going overseas to top up their pensions for years now and there are far fewer prime years top choice All Blacks leaving than, say, after the 2007 World Cup. Looks like Fainga'anuku will miss one year with the All Blacks and Mo’unga two. Others go on sabbatical and don't miss any.
The lure of the jersey is still hugely powerful at a time when players can double their income overseas.
Did you forget Jordie Barrett in Leinster?
Honestly a whole lot of worry about nothing, Telea would be about the 8th best NZ winger now and his lack of pace makes him a liability in defence.