Ex-Highlanders star urges NZ Rugby to review eligibility rules as ‘All Blacks jersey’s pull not what it was 20 years ago’
Ex-Highlanders and Scotland full-back Brendan Laney (inset) and Hurricanes back-row Devan Flanders in action against the Crusaders.
Former Highlanders and Scotland star Brendan Delaney believes the All Blacks jersey has lost its aura and has urged New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to review its eligibility rules.
There has been lots of debate about NZR’s eligibility rules as it currently prevents New Zealanders, who are plying their trade abroad, from representing the All Blacks unless they are granted a sabbatical by the governing body.
Former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson initially urged NZR’s policymakers to keep an open mind on their eligibility rules, but the governing body revealed that they would not be changing their policy regarding the selection of overseas-based players for the All Blacks anytime soon.
Although he was relieved of his duties as All Blacks boss earlier this year, Robertson had a change of heart on player eligibility in 2025 and was supporting NZR’s policy of not selecting overseas-based players.
Dave Rennie keen to select Brodie Retallick for All Blacks again
However, Robertson’s successor, Dave Rennie, also raised the topic of selecting overseas-based players shortly after he was appointed when he revealed that he is keen to recall legendary All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, who is based in Japan at the same club that Rennie is currently coaching, Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
It will be difficult for Rennie to achieve that goal under NZR’s current eligibility rules.
Despite the lure of playing for the All Blacks, several players who have represented the men in black at Test level, as well as those viewed as potential internationals, have decided to leave New Zealand to join overseas-based clubs in recent months.
On Monday, it was confirmed that highly rated Hurricanes back-row Devan Flanders will leave the Wellington-based outfit at the end of their Super Rugby Pacific campaign to join a Japanese club.
Meanwhile, the Blues will also part ways with All Blacks loose forwards Hoskins Sotutu and Dalton Papali’i later this year to further their respective careers with Newcastle Red Bulls and Castres.
It was also revealed in recent weeks that another Hurricanes star and All Blacks prospect, winger Fehi Fineanganofo, who is Super Rugby Pacific’s leading try-scorer, has also signed a deal with PREM strugglers Newcastle.
Laney, who shone at full-back for the Highlanders before representing Scotland in 20 Tests between 2001 and 2004, feels the trend of players leaving New Zealand to play overseas will continue unless NZR changes its eligibility rules.
“I don’t think the pull of the All Black jersey is what it was 20 years ago,” he told Newstalk ZB.
‘Something that we certainly need to look at’
“When you’ve got an opportunity like these guys have in front of them to go play rugby overseas, maybe have that opportunity to play Test rugby … it’s something that we certainly need to look at and be more serious about.
“If I was New Zealand Rugby, I’d be looking at this closely, because these guys certainly won’t be the last ones looking overseas.”
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New Zealand-born Laney, who qualified for Scotland through a Glasgow-born grandmother, feels the growing number of departures should be a concern for NZR.
“You can go back over the years and look at guys who have gone – I’m one, and there have been plenty of others – but it feels more common now,” said the 52-year-old.
“I understand why players are doing it, but it’s a concern. Player numbers are under pressure, and depth is probably the biggest issue.”