Transfers – ‘We need our players in New Zealand’, Kieran Read opposes change in eligibility rules

After the World Cup, many international players arrived at their new clubs. Among them are several New Zealanders: Sam Keane (Tokyo Songoliat), Ardi Savea (Kobe Steelers), Richie Mo’unga (Toshiba Brave), Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith (Toyota Verblitz) and Lester Vainga’anuku (Toulon).

According to New Zealand FA eligibility rules, an overseas contracted player cannot play for the All Blacks. Rules that the English are also exposed to, unlike the South Africans. San Ken also mentioned the topic upon his arrival in Japan: “Many South Africans have shown that playing in the Japanese Championship and returning to international level at the top are not mutually exclusivehe appreciated the third grade during his press conference at Suntory Sungoliath. So maybe we can talk about that.”

I don’t think New Zealand rugby can survive if we go down that path.

The desire to relax these rules is causing controversy… Kieran Read, former captain of the All Blacks, believes that the change in this eligibility principle will not be welcomed: “I don’t think New Zealand Rugby or the All Blacks or anyone else could survive if we went down that road so far.”confirmed the previous third line to AM media before continuing: “We need our players in New Zealand. We need strong competition that allows fans to attend matches and participate and stay involved here in New Zealand. We can’t achieve that if we go to play in the four corners of the world.”

In a world where professional rugby offers ever more attractive contracts, the challenge for unions in the coming years will undoubtedly be to find the right balance to retain their players…