'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Former World Cup-winning All Black Stephen Donald has had his say on the recent eligibility discussion about whether overseas players should represent New Zealand’s national side. 

The rant from Donald comes after talks of the rules changing due to the possibility of Richie Mo’unga and other New Zealand players, who play overseas being able to represent the All Blacks while playing in a different league to the Super Rugby Pacific. 

On his Sports Nation “The Run Home” show with Kirstie Stanaway, Donald expressed his strong views on the longstanding Kiwi rugby policies.

“I always said it and call me old school, call me whatever. There’s got to be an element of sacrifice. I’m sure they are still in the environment saying, you get the guys at press conferences ‘oh, this black jersey means so much to me’. Well, at some point in your life, you got to prove it,” said Donald on The Run Home. 

The former All Black passionately believes both Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett have sacrificed a lot for the jersey.

“Let’s not sugarcoat it. This is about getting Richie Mo’unga back. Let’s talk about sacrifice. Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. Look maybe Richie Mo’unga at his best is better than both of them, but both of them have sacrificed.

“I don’t think I’m being outlandish here to suggest $1 million. They would have both sacrificed $1 million because they put a price on the All Black Jersey, and that’s what they were prepared to give up to go again. 

“And they could have gone to Japan. People like Damian, for example, probably even more attractive in Japan than Richie (Mo’unga) is, because of the way he plays.”

The 23-Test match former first-five looks back on the sacrifices All Black great Jonah Lomu made, and what impact the blockbusting winger had on players back then.

“You’ve got to make sacrifices. Jonah Lomu, the reason why we all got paid as rugby players, sacrificed Dallas Cowboys, sacrificed NRL, fact, sacrificed Super League before rugby was even professional, because the kid from Otara, who went to Wesley, who came from Tonga, who had nothing, decided that the black jersey had a price, and the price he was prepared to sacrifice was all of his offers.” 

The dream of playing for the All Blacks keeps many players in Super Rugby until they decide their window for higher honours is over and look to the more cash rich contracts overseas.

Donald highlights former All Black captain Richie McCaw as one player who spent their whole career in New Zealand.

“Richie McCaw never left New Zealand. Richie McCaw’s never gonna have to work a day in his life, because he’s the greatest All Black of all time. He’s won two World Cups, and he went out and did it, and New Zealand will always look after Richie because of what he’s done for the country.” 

Donald suggests the problem with changing the eligibility rules lies with having fewer heroes playing in the local New Zealand competitions.

“Look at Richie, look at Jonah, we need heroes.

“But if you don’t see your heroes playing week in, week out, and they’re up they’re playing a meaningless competition in Japan or playing over there for too long.” 

“Beaver” isn’t settling for the excuse of focusing on the next World Cup cycle, saying the development is important too.

“Oh, well, as long as we win the World Cup, but we How many World Cups are you going to win, you might win the next World Cup. Maybe even win one after but if there’s not going to be kids coming through, you won’t win the ones in 20 years.”