'Scratching our heads': NZ pundit urges All Blacks to follow South Africa's model

New Zealand commentator Scott Stevenson has backed calls for scraping the eligibility rules on All Blacks selection, stating that players must “get better” to win caps.

The debate around eligibility has risen once more after Scott Robertson confirmed he would present to the NZR board asking them to have an open mind toward overseas selection.

The All Blacks will allow for a player to be selected from overseas on a contracted sabbatical, but won’t pick from non-NZR contracted players overseas.

Stevenson accepted that it would be unfair on players at home, but urged them to get better as the All Blacks are not a “participation award” for loyalty to New Zealand rugby.

“And the big argument is that it’s unfair on players who commit to New Zealand. And I accept that argument,” Stevenson said.

“I know that you want to have a strong game underneath the international level in New Zealand, you want players to commit to their Super Rugby clubs, but can I just say this, not every single New Zealand player is going to be in demand for a club overseas.

“No, they don’t have unlimited cash in France, England, Japan and they’ve got the international cap rules.  So I think that argument’s a bit of a straw man for me.”

Stevenson echoed comments by Scott Robertson on South Africa and the Springboks, who used their open selection policy to use 51 players during this year’s international season.

The Kiwi media personality called the current eligibility rules “self sabotage”.

“The other point I would make about this is the one country that’s top of the pops in the world right now, two-time defending World Cup Champions is South Africa, and South Africa’s eligibility rules are very clear,” he said.

“You can go and play club rugby, franchise footy overseas, and you are still going to get picked. Rassie Erasmus started in tests this year 51 players, 51 players, we’re talking about the All Blacks lightly blooding 12 new caps this year.

“What I’m trying to say is that, you know, we’re sitting here scratching our heads, wondering how we catch up with South Africa while indulging ourselves in an act of self sabotage.

“The reason the Springboks are strong is because they have opened up their eligibility pool. They’ve said, we want the best players in the world playing for the Springboks, then pick them from wherever they are.

“I don’t buy into this, ‘Oh, it’s unfair on other kids’, get better. The All Blacks are not a participation reward. It’s about being the best player in your position. That’s the way it should be.”

Scott Robertson expressed his desire to follow South Africa’s lead as he didn’t want the All Blacks to fall a “cycle of two” behind in the current international game.

“Using South Africa as an example, they get the opportunity to use a lot of experienced players … looked after and managed well into their 30s,” Robertson said.

“So they have got a great balance. They have got youth coming through, they have got good benches, they finish over top of teams and they have got big squads.

“They can have two really quality 15s, so what does it look like for us? How many players would we bring back? My next step is, is it case-by-case or how do we look at it? What is the potential opportunity moving forward.”