All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson has urged New Zealand Rugby not to stand in Dave Rennie\u2019s way when it comes to selecting Richie Mo\u2019unga and Shannon Frizell.<\/p>\n
Both players will return home following the conclusion of the Japan Rugby League One season, but under the governing body\u2019s eligibility laws, neither will be available for Test rugby until October.<\/p>\n
Mo\u2019unga<\/a> and Frizell have signed deals with the Crusaders and Highlanders respectively ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby campaign, but they will be back in New Zealand<\/a> ahead of the 2026 Nations Championship in July.<\/p>\n Not available for Springboks series<\/p>\n However, NZR will not currently allow head coach Rennie<\/a> to select either player for the July Tests or the Greatest Rivalry series with the Springboks.<\/p>\n Wilson wants that to change and hopes the All Blacks\u2019 new boss will be able to pick the returning fly-half and back-rower.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve signed them for one reason and that\u2019s to improve the performance of the All Blacks. How they do that and when they do that should be as soon as possible,\u201d he said on The Breakdown.<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying an arbitrary 40 minutes of NPC rugby does not help you get ready to play for the All Blacks.<\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as they are fit and available and in New Zealand, they need to be involved with the All Blacks, whether it be in the squad that goes to South Africa or sitting outside in preparation in the middle of the year in July.\u201d<\/p>\n Former All Blacks back-rower Steven Bates agreed with Wilson, insisting that the return of Mo\u2019unga and Frizell will improve the quality and depth of the All Blacks squad.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve come home for a reason, they\u2019ve come home to make us better. Do we want to be better as a rugby nation? I think the answer is yes,\u201d Bates said.<\/p>\n \u201cRens or the powers that be have decided that these two makes us better so chuck them in there and make us better.\u201d<\/p>\n